Maro Itoje has rejoined the England senior group for the first time since the summer tour, but his teammates Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchand will have to wait for further proof of form at their clubs before they can be recalled. Itoje, who was rested for the Nations Championship matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, is now part of a 36‑man training camp that kicks off on Sunday and will serve as the foundation for England's autumn programme.
The Saracens lock is expected to start the season‑opening test against Australia at Allianz Stadium on 8 November, taking over the captaincy duties from Jamie George, who filled the role during the July fixtures. This marks a return to the side for Itoje after a brief spell of rest, allowing him to recover fully before the demanding international calendar resumes. Lawes and Marchand, both of whom have only recently become eligible for selection after completing their moves back from French clubs—Lawes from Brive and Marchand from Stade Français—are still on the periphery of Borthwick’s plans.
The England head coach has indicated that he wants to see how the two veterans reintegrate into the Gallagher Premiership with Sale Sharks before making any decisions about their inclusion in upcoming squads. Their absence from the England set‑up has been felt, particularly in the case of Lawes, whose experience and leadership were considered vital during the 2023 World Cup campaign. In addition to the returning stars, the squad features a number of fresh faces and returning players who have overcome injury setbacks.
Prop Fin Baxter, highly rated for his scrummaging ability, is back after a series of foot problems kept him sidelined since December. Young talents such as scrum‑half Archie McParland and centre‑wing Kepueli Tuipulotu have also earned places in the training group.
McParland’s path to the squad was almost derailed by a severe leg wound he suffered in Northampton’s Premiership final win over Exeter. The injury forced him out of the summer tour, but his resilience and form at club level have convinced the coaching staff to give him a chance to prove himself in the autumn camp. Meanwhile, established half‑backs Alex Mitchell (hamstring) and Ben Spencer (shoulder) are still rehabilitating with their clubs, leaving a window for McParland to showcase his abilities to Borthwick. Other notable absences include Max Ojomoh, who is nursing a calf injury, and Noah Clauori, sidelined with a wrist problem.
Tom Roebuck’s selection for Sale on Sunday also prevents his involvement in the England camp at this stage. Front‑row players George and Ollie Chessum have joined the squad but are receiving treatment for groin and foot issues respectively, meaning they will likely be monitored rather than thrown straight into the action.
The forward pack announced for the camp is a blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan‑Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham‑South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), George Martin (Saracens), Asher Opoku‑Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby) and Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby). The backline features a mix of power and flair: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Tobias Elliott (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Harlequins), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Archie McParland (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) and Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers). England will host Australia at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Sunday, 8 November, as part of the fourth round of the Nations Championship. The match will be a key test of the newly assembled squad, offering Borthwick a chance to evaluate how his players perform together against a top‑tier opponent.
Following the Australian clash, England’s schedule includes fixtures against Japan and New Zealand, providing further opportunities to cement combinations and assess depth across the roster. For fans interested in watching international rugby, the final test of the New Zealand versus South Africa series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 10 pm on Saturday, with the game taking place in Baltimore, USA. This high‑profile encounter adds to a busy weekend of rugby action, underscoring the global reach and excitement of the sport during the autumn internationals.