Maro Itoje has secured a place in England's first training group since the summer tour, but both Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant will have to demonstrate their form at Sale before they can be considered for a recall. Itoje, who was rested for the Nations Championship fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, is now part of a 36‑man roster that will commence its autumn preparations with a three‑day training camp beginning on Sunday. The Saracens lock is expected to resume his captaincy duties for the opening match against Australia at Allianz Stadium on 8 November, taking over the armband from Jamie George, who acted as stand‑in captain during the July tests.
Lawes and Marchant have become eligible for selection again after completing their stints with French clubs Brive and Stade Français respectively. Their moves back across the Channel temporarily paused their international careers, and head coach Steve Borthwick has indicated that he wants to assess how well they reintegrate into the Gallagher Premiership before deciding on future England call‑ups.
Both players featured in the 2023 World Cup squad, and Lawes in particular is under scrutiny because of the leadership and experience he could provide to an England side that is currently seeking those qualities. In addition to Itoje, the squad list includes several other notable names.
Highly‑rated prop Fin Baxter has returned after a prolonged absence caused by foot problems that kept him out of action since December. Young talents Archie McParland and Kepueli Tuipulotu have also earned places in the group. McParland, a scrum‑half, seemed destined for the summer tour until a severe leg wound suffered in Northampton’s Premiership final win over Exeter forced him out of contention. The coaching staff hope his inclusion now will give him an opportunity to prove himself.
The half‑back department remains competitive. Alex Mitchell is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and Ben Spencer is undergoing shoulder rehabilitation, leaving the more seasoned options temporarily unavailable. This scenario opens the door for McParland to impress Borthwick and potentially stake a claim for a regular England role. Meanwhile, Max Ojomoh (calf injury) and Noah Clauori (wrist injury) are sidelined, and Tom Roebuck’s selection for Sale on Sunday prevents his participation in the camp.
England’s back‑row also sees a mix of returning veterans and fresh faces. George and Ollie Chessum have rejoined the squad but are currently receiving treatment for groin and foot issues respectively. The forward line includes a long list of players from across the Premiership: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), 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), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Will Stuart (Bath), Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath), and Sam Underhill (Bath). The back‑line features a blend of experience and emerging talent: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), 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, Twickenham, on Sunday 8 November for the fourth round of the Nations Championship, before moving on to fixtures against Japan and New Zealand later in the autumn window. Fans can also look forward to the final test of the year, a clash between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore, USA, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 10 pm on Saturday.
The selection decisions surrounding Lawes and Marchant highlight the delicate balance Borthwick must strike between rewarding proven internationals and encouraging form players who are performing well in the domestic league. While Itoje’s presence adds a familiar and powerful element to the set‑piece, the coaching staff are keen to see whether the experienced lock Lawes can regain his previous level of influence after a season disrupted by injury and relocation. Similarly, Marchant’s versatility in the back‑row makes him a valuable asset, but his recent performances for Sale will be the key metric Borthwick uses to gauge his readiness for the next England campaign. Overall, the squad reflects a strategic blend of continuity and renewal.
Established leaders such as Itoje and George provide stability, while emerging talents like McParland and Tuipulotu bring fresh energy and competition for places. The upcoming camp will be crucial for players to stake their claim, recover from injuries, and build the cohesion needed for the challenging autumn internationals ahead.