England training squad: Joe Marler’s and Dan Cole’s omissions and the newbies that could shock the All Blacks
England prop Joe Marler and Harlequins' loosehead Fin Baxter.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his first training squad to prepare for the upcoming Test matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Borthwick has invited 19 players to the four-day training camp at Pennyhill Park this week. The squad provides insight into the head coach’s thinking ahead of the upcoming internationals despite several stars not being included.
Planet Rugby runs through the omissions and inclusions as preparations ahead of the tour ramp up.
Premiership semi-finalists
Starting with the obvious, the likes of Maro Itoje, George Ford, Fin Smith, Ben Earl, and so many others have not been invited simply because of the Premiership play-offs.
The Northampton Saints, Bath, Saracens and Sale Sharks players will link up with the squad after their club commitments and depending on whether they make the final or not.
Experienced props: Joe Marler and Dan Cole
Veteran props Joe Marler and Dan Cole continue to be key cogs in the England squad but were notable absentees in the group named by Borthwick.
However, the RFU provided clarity to Planet Rugby, stating that the pair are both fit and would link up with the squad in the first week of June.
The experienced props will be crucial for England this Test season, and providing them with an extra week off is a fairly straightforward and smart decision.
It also allows for Borthwick to get a closer look at the other props he has invited with Ellis Genge ruled out of the internationals through injury.
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New front-rowers
Borthwick spoke highly of Harlequins’ Fin Baxter ahead of his Six Nations squad announcement earlier this year, and the loosehead prop’s form in the latter stages of the season has finally earned him a look.
Yes, it is just a training squad, but after he dealt with the imposing figure of Ben Tameifuna in the Investec Champions Cup and put in several standout scrummaging performances after that, the sky is the limit for the rookie prop, and this is just the first step.
With England captain Jamie George and his hooking back-up Theo Dan featuring in the semi-finals for Saracens, Borthwick has turned to Bristol Bears’ Gabriel Oghre. It looks as if the Bears’ front row has leapfrogged Quins hooker Jack Walker in the pecking order and could press for high honours in training. However, stiff competition is still coming his way, with Tom Dunn, Curtis Langdon, and Luke Cowan-Dickie all playing in the semi-finals.
Power in the back-five!
The win over Ireland in the Six Nations and the strong performance against France, albeit in defeat, saw England benefit from leaning into their power in the back-five and despite the small squad selection, it is clear that Borthwick will be looking to make the most of it again.
Chandler Cunningham-South is an easy selection based on his Quins’ form. as is his clubmate Alex Dombrandt, while Leicester Tigers’ star George Martin was always going to be in the mix. Ethan Roots also impressed during his first few caps for England earlier this year.
But Exeter’s Greg Fisilau, Rusi Tuima and Newcastle’s Guy Pepper offer more intriguing selections outside of the abovementioned quartet.
Fisilau and Tuima were at the forefront of Exeter’s efforts this season and are powerhouse tacklers and carriers perfectly fitting into that abrasive and aggressive approach that paid dividends in the latter stages of the Six Nations.
Tuima is just the kind of tighthead lock that Borthwick will appreciate, and if he does make the final touring squad, he could slot into the second-row, allowing for Itoje or Martin to move to blindside flank, filling Ollie Chessum’s void.
As for Pepper, the 21-year-old has been rock-solid for an underwhelming Newcastle outfit, and while he will lap up his involvement this week, he is vying for a spot in an incredibly contested position on the side of the scrum.
Pack exclusions
Zach Mercer’s efforts in the Challenge Cup final against the Sharks were not convincing enough to earn him a look into the training squad. It is still early in the preparations, but his absence is notable, particularly with clubmate Charlie Atkinson earning an invitation.
Another notable Cherry and White snub is Ruan Ackermann, who is now qualified to represent England. The versatile forward has reportedly been on Borthwick’s radar at times, but a gutting injury last year denied him a call-up. The question is now, has he slipped down the pecking order or is he on the Springboks’ radar?
Elsewhere, Bristol’s Fitz Harding enjoyed a strong run of form at the end of the season and can certainly feel unlucky he didn’t get an invite, but that is testament to the depth in the back-row.
A handful of surprises in the backs
Much of the backline is set to be pulled from the Northampton Saints squad, but there is a surprise inclusion for Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson, who is one of two fly-halves.
Marcus Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade and Freddie Steward were always going to be involved in the squad, but there is a welcome return for Jack van Poortvliet after his World Cup dream was crushed.
Meanwhile, Luke Northmore has forced a look in after a fine run of form following his injury setbacks this season, while Max Malins’ stellar showings with Bristol see him return to the fold. The same applies to Harry Randall.
Unlucky backs
Again, this is just a training squad, but the fact that Gabriel Ibitoye, Will Porter, Oscar Beard and Cadan Murley haven’t got a call-up now means that they are unlikely to get them before the tour.
Ibitoye is the unluckiest of the lot after a blockbuster season with Bristol, while Porter is unfortunate to be competing in an incredibly well-stocked position, even after Danny Care’s and Ben Youngs’ retirements since the World Cup.
England’s 19-player training squad
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt, Greg Fisilau, Joe Heyes, George Martin, Gabriel Oghre, Guy Pepper, Ethan Roots, Rusi Tuima
Backs: Charlie Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Max Malins, Luke Northmore, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
