Steve Borthwick set to omit 102-cap star from England squad for the Nations Championship this summer

England are set to face South Africa, Argentina and Fiji in the Nations Championship this summer, but Steve Borthwick is set to omit one of his more experienced figures for the clashes.

The Six Nations was a disaster for the nation, as they lost four of their five games, with one of these being a historic first-ever defeat to Italy.

Questions were asked about the future of Borthwick as the head coach of England, but he has been given the backing by the RFU until the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

There are hopes that he can restore the team back to the pre-2026 Six Nations form, as England had been on an 11-game winning streak, leading to hopes they could have won the iconic championship.

However, it did not pan out the way fans had hoped as they finished fifth in the competition with crushing defeats to Scotland and Ireland.

The performance against France in their final fixture will have encouraged supporters; there is still hope Borthwick could turn their fortunes around and guide them to a second World Cup.

Maro Itoje of England reacts during the Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between Italy and England at Stadio Olimpico (Getty Images)

England can begin this journey this summer when they travel to South Africa, and it is being reported by the Telegraph that Borthwick may be set to blood fresh young talent to increase his options for the World Cup, and in doing this it means they will not bring captain Maro Itoje on tour.

Itoje may be entitled to a rest, as he, in the previous two seasons, has exceeded the Rugby Football Union’s own player welfare guidelines by playing in more than 30 matches each campaign.

So far this season, the Saracens' second row has played 20 games for club and country, in what has been a tough season for him on and off the pitch, having to recover from a knee injury from the British and Irish Lions puck-up in the summer before the death of his mother just before the Six Nations in February.

Should the 31-year-old and other experienced players be omitted from the squad, this could see some debuts being handed to those players that have impressed in the PREM this season.

It is expected South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg will be eligible under residency laws to play for England, while Saracens wing Noah Calouri and Bath’s Kepu Tuipulotu and Billy Sela, and Northampton Saints’ Archie McParland could be in line for a call-up.