Maro Itoje left out of England training squad ahead of…

Maro Itoje left out of England training squad ahead of summer tour

Maro Itoje's participation in England's summer tour remains an active discussion - (Getty)

Captain Maro Itoje has been left out of an England training squad ahead of the summer tour with conversations ongoing about the possibility of resting him for the Nations Championship.

Head coach Steve Borthwick said last month that he, Itoje and England’s head of performance Phil Morrow had discussed the idea of standing down the lock from matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina after what Borthwick described as a “challenging year”.

Itoje has endured a heavy workload for club and country over the last 12 months after leading the British and Irish Lions to series victory in Australia last summer, and also dealt with the death of his mother in December.

The 31-year-old has been left out of a 26-player squad that will be assembled at Pennyhill Park this week to prepare for an uncapped England XV against a France XV in Vannes next Friday, 19 June.

Also absent are any of the players involved in the semi-finals of the Gallagher Prem. Northampton host Leicester on Friday night before Bath welcome Exeter to the Rec on Saturday.

Borthwick hands a first call-up to Harlequins prop Will Hobson as one of a number of uncapped inclusions, with Sale hooker Nathan Jibulu, Bristol tighthead George Kloska and Saracens lock Hugh Tizard hoping to impress in the pack.

Will Hobson of Harlequins has been handed a first call-up (Getty)

Saracens wing Tobias Ellliot joins clubmate Noah Caluori in the back three shake-up along with Gloucester full-back Ben Redshaw, who trained with England during the 2023 World Cup while a teenager at Newcastle.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ellis Genge will join the camp to rehabilitate after injury.

After facing the France XV, England face a daunting travel schedule with games in Johannesburg, Liverpool and Santiago del Estero on consecutive Saturdays in July