Times are changing in English rugby as the 36-man squad to tour Japan and New Zealand clearly illustrates. It has been many years since a full‑strength Red Rose squad boarded a long-haul flight without Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, the Vunipola brothers, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Danny Care, George Ford or Kyle Sinckler and only half a dozen of Steve Borthwick’s players have accrued more than 40 Test caps.
It explains two things about the head coach’s selection: the genuine sense of opportunity for numerous individuals, and Borthwick’s reluctance to leave any more of his experienced senior pros at home. Tom Curry has barely played this year after hip surgery, while Maro Itoje should theoretically be entitled to a rest – but both key forwards will tour this summer regardless.
