Overview
- England named a 42-man training squad on Monday and began a three-day camp at Pennyhill Park that included first-time call-up Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
- Janse van Rensburg becomes eligible on July 8 under the five-year residency rule, which rules him out of the July 4 test in Johannesburg but leaves him available to face Fiji on July 11 and Argentina on July 18.
- The RFU secured a World Rugby decision that his brief 2016 South Africa Under-20 appearance did not tie him to the Springboks, clearing his path to England selection.
- His inclusion coincided with the omissions of Bath’s Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh and Henry Arundell, while uncapped prospects Kepu Tuipulotu, Noah Caluori, Archie McParland and Charlie Bracken joined the group.
- Responding Tuesday to criticism from former internationals Danny Care and Mike Tindall, Steve Borthwick said he ignores outside noise and picked Janse van Rensburg for his form and ability to cover both centre positions.