Steve Borthwick unveiled a 36-player squad for the upcoming Summer Series, and it features a blend of fresh talent and some surprising omissions.
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Among the new faces are six uncapped players: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears), Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), and Luke Northmore (Harlequins).
Led by Jamie George, the squad comprises 20 forwards and 16 backs.
The team will train at Twickenham Stadium on Tuesday, 11 June, before jetting off to Tokyo to ramp up their preparations.
Top Five Shock Absentees from Borthwick’s Squad
1. Zach Mercer (Gloucester Rugby)
The rugby world is abuzz with Zach Mercer’s continued absence from the national setup. Despite high hopes for a recall, the dynamic number 8 remains sidelined. Mercer’s stellar performances have caught the eye of Top 14 clubs, with Gloucester slapping a hefty £1 million price tag on him. Though Montpellier’s interest waned, Toulon remains keen, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes transfer battle.
2. Ted Hill (Bath RFC)
Ted Hill’s exclusion raises eyebrows given his resurgence at Bath under Johann van Graan. The powerful flanker, capped twice by England, has been in fine form but still couldn’t break into Borthwick’s plans. Hill’s standout performance in the Premiership final only makes his omission more puzzling.
