Fly-half: MARCUS SMITH (Harlequins)
Smith has been in the last two squads as an apprentice and with the below-par performances of George Ford, it seemed that June may finally be the time to blood the 19-year-old playmaker. He is an excellent attacking fly-half and has all the potential to be among the world’s best. It’s just a shame England fans will not get to see him play in South Africa.
Scrum-half: BEN VELLACOTT (Gloucester)
The scrum-half was included in England’s elite player squad earlier this year but has represented Scotland at Under-20s level and their national head coach Gregor Townsend wanted him to be part of their senior squad. The 23-year-old is still in his first season as a full-time professional player and would of probably made the squad if not for the sublime form of Dan Robson.
Prop: ROSS HARRISON (Sale Sharks)
Nearly 300 tackles with a 95 per-cent completion rate gives him the third most tackles in the league, and he is top for a prop. Five more starts at loosehead than his nearest competitor. Omnipresent with a low number on your back is Herculean. Unlucky not to be considered.
Hooker: TOM CRUSE (Wasps)
Cruse has become Wasps’ first-choice hooker in the absence of Tommy Taylor through injury for the majority of the season and Ashley Johnson’s injury knocks and recent suspension. The former London Irish player has scored five tries in his last 10 games and clearly did enough to impress his Wasps teammates to win their players’ player of the season award.
Prop: BENO OBANO (Bath Rugby)
The tighthead has been invited to train with England at a camp in Brighton next week, however, and could be in with a chance of playing in the uncapped match against Barbarians on May 27 at Twickenham. After a good campaign, he should have been given a chance in the full squad.