Ojomoh comes into England squad to face France XV

Ojomoh was named player of the match during his second cap against Argentina in November, though he has not featured since then.

Published 2 hours ago

Max Ojomoh could be partnered with midfield competitor Benhard Janse van Rensburg in England's uncapped match against a France XV in Vannes on Friday evening, after being selected for a 33-player squad for the fixture.

However, there is no return for Ojomoh's Bath teammate Ollie Lawrence, who has been overlooked once more.

Lawrence is one of England's 25 centrally-contracted players and started the autumn victory over New Zealand.

Yet the 26-year-old, who made a swift six-month recovery from a torn Achilles tendon at the start of this season, has found it difficult to regain his top form since.

His sole appearance in England's Six Nations campaign this year came in the 42-21 loss to Ireland.

Gloucester's Seb Atkinson is the other specialist centre alongside Ojomoh and uncapped South-Africa-born Janse van Rensburg of Bristol Bears.

Janse van Rensburg, who was initially thought to have been captured for the Springboks by a substitute appearance for their under-20 side in 2016, is eligible to face a France XV in Vannes because it is an uncapped match rather than a full Test.

He will complete the five years of residency required to qualify for England at Test level after the team's Nations Championship opener against South Africa on 4 July, but in time to play against Fiji and Argentina on the following two weekends.

Bath's Ted Hill, who can operate in both the second row and back row, is included among the forwards. The 27-year-old earned his most recent of five England caps against the United States in July 2025.

Leicester prop Archie van der Flier, the cousin of Ireland and British and Irish Lions flanker Josh, gets his first exposure to the senior setup.

Saracens teenager Noah Caluori, the Premiership's leading try-scorer this season, could be in contention for a start, with Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck also among the wing options.

Northampton and Exeter players are excluded as they prepare for Saturday's Premiership final, but Steve Borthwick will have the option of a formidable Leicester second row combination of George Martin and Ollie Chessum available to him.

With England considering resting Maro Itoje during the summer, a strong showing from the Leicester duo could persuade the coach to leave his captain behind.

France's squad for the game excludes players from Top 14 semi-finalists Toulouse, Racing 92, Stade Francais and Montpellier, but Bordeaux Begles centre Nicolas Depoortere, who has not played since dislocating a shoulder in March, could feature in midfield alongside club colleague Yoram Moefana.

Wing Theo Attisogbe, who has scored 10 tries in 13 Test-level appearances, is also included.

England training squad

Forwards: Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby), Hugh Tizard (Saracens), Archie van der Flier (Leicester Tigers).

Backs: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Noah Caluori (Saracens), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).

Rehabilitation: Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby).