Steve Borthwick's England Squad Set for Summer Tour Challenge

Steve Borthwick, the England coach, has included Sale flanker Tom Curry in his 36-man squad for the tour of Japan and New Zealand, which also features seven players from Northampton. Despite a serious hip injury that limited his playing time since last year’s Rugby World Cup, Curry has made the cut. Uncapped wing Ollie Sleightholme, who scored in the Premiership final win over Bath, is among the Northampton contingent. England will face Japan on 22 June before taking on the All Blacks on 6 and 13 July.

Borthwick emphasized the significance of the Summer Series for squad development. He highlighted the challenges of adapting to varied playing conditions and rugby styles presented by the two opponents. The squad includes six uncapped players, including Sleightholme, Harlequins’ Fin Baxter and Luke Northmore, Sale’s Joe Carpenter and Tom Roebuck, and Bristol’s Gabriel Oghre. Borthwick noted that for some younger players, this tour will mark their first time traveling abroad with England. It offers them a chance to forge stronger bonds and acclimate to the team’s environment.

Curry’s inclusion comes despite warnings from his club coach Alex Sanderson about managing his return after a long injury absence. Bristol’s Harry Randall is selected as one of three scrum-halves, alongside Ben Spencer and Alex Mitchell. With George Ford sidelined, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith are the specialist fly-halves while George Furbank provides full-back cover. England’s itinerary includes facing Japan in Tokyo before taking on the All Blacks in Dunedin and Auckland. Their goal is to secure a victory at Eden Park for the first time since 1994.

Steve Borthwick acknowledged the challenges presented by the venues and opponents. He emphasized the necessity for England to perform at their peak against both the fast-paced Japanese team and the formidable All Blacks side. He expressed determination to alter England’s historical difficulties in New Zealand. Borthwick emphasized the significance of mental strength and tactical acumen in achieving the desired outcomes.