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England face France XV, Janse van Rensburg set for debut

Published 19 June 2026

England will face a France XV in a non-cap international match in Vannes on Friday, June 19, with South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg poised to make his debut from the bench. The fixture serves as a warm-up ahead of England's summer Nations Championship campaign.

Janse van Rensburg, 29, is eligible for the uncapped match despite not formally qualifying for England on residency grounds until July 8. His selection follows a Rugby Football Union appeal to World Rugby regarding his eligibility. The Bristol Bears player has been named among the replacements, with head coach Steve Borthwick including five uncapped players in his 23-man squad.

The starting lineup features a blend of experience and new faces. Veteran fly-half George Ford will captain the side from Sale Sharks, partnering with scrum-half Harry Randall of Bristol Bears. Marcus Smith has been selected at fullback, while an exciting centre partnership sees Bath's Max Ojomoh outside Gloucester's Seb Atkinson. On the wing, teenage try-scorer Noah Caluori earns another senior appearance.

The forward pack includes Bristol's George Kloska at tighthead prop, joining hooker Theo Dan and loosehead Asher...

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