Borthwick names 42-man England squad for Nations Championship training

England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 42-man training squad ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship this summer, with Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg earning his first call-up. The Pretoria-born 29-year-old will become eligible for England on July 8 after completing a five-year residency period, having moved to England in 2021 to join London Irish.

Janse van Rensburg’s inclusion required special dispensation from World Rugby. He made a brief appearance for South Africa’s Under-20 side in 2016, but the Rugby Football Union successfully argued that this should not permanently tie him to the Springboks. Consequently, he will not be available for England’s opening Nations Championship match against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4, but could debut against Fiji on July 11 or in a non-cap fixture against a France XV on June 19.

His selection comes amid notable omissions in the midfield. Bath centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, along with wing Henry Arundell, were not included in the squad. Lawrence has been a regular when fit but has faced recent injury setbacks, while Arundell’s defensive limitations were cited as a factor after England’s...