Itoje returns to England squad for Nations Championship camp

Maro Itoje has returned to the England setup after being selected in head coach Steve Borthwick's 36-player squad for a three-day training camp. The group assembled at Pennyhill Park on Sunday, September 6, and is scheduled to train at England's Performance Centre through Tuesday, September 8.

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Planet Rugby reported that the camp begins England's preparations for the Northern Hemisphere portion of the Nations Championship in November. England are due to face Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday, November 8, before subsequent matches against Japan and New Zealand.

Itoje, who had the summer away from international duty, is one of four second-row players in the camp alongside Arthur Clark, Alex Coles and George Martin. Jamie George and Ollie Chessum are listed separately as undergoing rehabilitation rather than among the 36 available players.

The front-row selections include Fin Baxter, who returns after nearly 10 months out following a foot injury, and Will Stuart, also back after an extended absence. Joe Heyes, Emmanuel Iyogun, George Kloska and Asher Opoku-Fordjour are the other props. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Theo Dan and Kepueli Tuipulotu are the selected hookers. Planet Rugby said Ellis Genge will remain with Bristol Bears as he works on rebuilding his fitness after an extended break.

Borthwick has chosen Harry Randall, Jack van Poortvliet and Archie McParland as the scrum-half options while Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer continue rehabilitation work with their clubs. George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith comprise the fly-half group. The midfield selections are Seb Atkinson, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Henry Slade, with Max Ojomoh's calf being rested.

The remaining backs include Elliot Daly, Tobias Elliott, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Cadan Murley and Freddie Steward. Planet Rugby also reported that Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant were not included, with Borthwick understood to want both playing in the Premiership before considering selection. Tom Roebuck was playing for Sale on Sunday, while Noah Caluori was unavailable because of a wrist injury. The camp gives England a short first block of work before their November program begins.