England's Maro Itoje faces a pivotal decision about his summer workload after a grueling two-year period that saw him exceed recommended playing limits. The 31-year-old second row has already skipped a three-day England gathering and made early exits from training camps, prompting head of performance Phil Morrow to confirm a final call will come within weeks.

Itoje captained the British and Irish Lions to series victory over Australia last summer, but his extensive playing time has raised concerns. He surpassed the 2,400-minute threshold in 2023-24 and narrowly avoided doing so this season. England are weighing whether to rest him for their demanding Nations Championship summer leg starting July 4 against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Other second-row options include George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, and Charlie Ewels, though Chandler Cunningham-South remains sidelined with a complicated calf injury. Scrum-half Alex Mitchell could still tour despite his hamstring problem, while Ellis Genge returns to prop for the Springboks opener.

The decision reflects England's careful approach to player welfare ahead of a challenging international window that will test squad depth across three continents.