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England Nations Championship squad: Captain Maro Itoje rested as Noah Caluori wins wing spot

BBC Sport •
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Let's extract info: England Nations Championship squad: Captain Maro Itoje rested; Noah Caluori wins wing spot. Itoje missed Test vs South Africa 4 July, rested after breaching World Rugby recommendation of playing only 30 games a season each of past two campaigns. He has led England, Saracens, British and Irish Lions series win over Australia last summer; grieved mother Florence died Dec; spoke at funeral in Nigeria; joined up late before Six Nations.

Hooker Jamie George (preceded Itoje as captain, stepped back) will lead side with five uncapped players. Saracens teenage wing Noah Caluori wins place ahead of rivals Adam Radwan, Tom Roebuck, Henry Arundell. 19-year-old, prodigious leap, joint top of Prem try-scoring charts with 18 this season.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg (South African-born Bristol centre) will become eligible for England on residency grounds in time for Tests vs Fiji and Argentina on 11 and 18 July; also included. Bath's Max Ojomoh, Exeter's Henry Slade, Gloucester's Seb Atkinson join as specialist midfield options; Ollie Lawrence and Northampton pair Fraser Dingwall and Tom Litchfield overlooked.

Exeter's uncapped Greg Fisilau secondary number eight behind Ben Earl; Alex Dombrandt injured in defeat by France XV on Friday. Guy Pepper recovered from injury to take back row; tighthead props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela in line for first caps. Absence of Itoje opens opportunities in second row: George Martin (superb performance vs SA in 2023 RWC semi) recently comeback from 14 months out injuries; Gloucester's Arthur Clark hope to add to solitary cap vs USA in July.

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