Maro Itoje has secured a place in England’s first senior group assembled after the summer tour, yet his teammates 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 listed among a 36‑man training party that will kick off its autumn preparations with a three‑day camp beginning on Sunday.
The Saracens lock is expected to resume his captaincy duties for the opening match of the series against Australia at Allianz Stadium on 8 November, taking over the armband from Jamie George, who stood in as captain during the July fixtures. Itoje’s inclusion signals the coaching staff’s confidence in his leadership and his ability to anchor the line‑out after a brief hiatus. Lawes and Marchant have only recently become eligible for selection again after returning from stints with French clubs Brive and Stade Français respectively.
Their moves across the Channel effectively paused their international careers, and head coach Steve Borthwick appears to be taking a cautious approach. Sources close to the England camp say Borthwick wants to observe how both players reintegrate into the Gallagher Premiership before making any decisions about their involvement in upcoming squads. Both men were members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, and Lawes in particular is under close scrutiny because of the wealth of experience and leadership he could bring to a side that is still searching for stability in its forward pack. If he can recapture his previous form, his presence would add a valuable dimension to England’s set‑piece and on‑field decision‑making.
The squad also features a returning prop, Fin Baxter, who has overcome a series of foot injuries that kept him sidelined since December. His comeback adds depth to the front row alongside emerging talents such as Archie McParland and Kepueli Tuipulotu, both of whom have earned spots in the training group.
McParland, a scrum‑half, seemed set to join the summer tour until a severe leg wound sustained during Northampton’s Premiership final victory over Exeter forced him out. His recovery has been closely monitored, and with senior half‑backs Alex Mitchell (hamstring) and Ben Spencer (shoulder) still undergoing rehabilitation with their clubs, McParland now has a genuine opportunity to impress Borthwick and stake a claim for future selection.
Injuries continue to affect the wider pool: Max Ojomoh is out with a calf strain, Noah Clauori is sidelined by a wrist issue, and Tom Roebuck’s commitment to Sale on Sunday precludes his involvement with the national set‑up at this stage. Meanwhile, Jamie George and Ollie Chessum have joined the training camp but are receiving treatment for groin and foot problems respectively, meaning they will be monitored closely before returning to full contact. The forwards named in the squad include: - 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) - Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby) The backs selected are: - 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) - 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. Following that encounter, the team will travel to face Japan and then New Zealand in the remaining fixtures of the series.
The schedule also includes a high‑profile showdown between New Zealand and South Africa, set to be broadcast live from Baltimore, USA, on Sky Sports Action at 10 pm on Saturday. The selection choices reflect a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers, a balance that Borthwick hopes will inject fresh energy while maintaining the core stability needed for success.
With key players returning from injury and others awaiting the chance to prove themselves in the Premiership, the upcoming camp will be crucial for shaping England’s strategy ahead of the autumn internationals and the broader objectives for the season.