Max Ojomoh could line up alongside midfield rival Benhard Janse van Rensburg in England’s non-cap match against a France XV in Vannes on Friday evening, after he was called into a 33-strong squad for the fixture.
However, there is no recall for Ojomoh’s Bath’s colleague Ollie Lawrence, who is overlooked once again.
Lawrence is one of England’s 25 centrally-contracted players and started the autumn win over New Zealand.
However, the 26-year-old, who made a rapid six-month recovery from a torn Achilles tendon at the start of this season, has struggled to recapture his best form since.
His only appearance in England’s Six Nations campaign this year was in the 42-21 defeat by Ireland.
Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson is the other specialist centre along with Ojomoh and uncapped South-Africa-born Janse van Rensburg of Bristol Bears.
Janse van Rensburg, who was initially thought to be captured for the Springboks by a replacement appearance for this under-20 side in 2016, is available to face a France XV in Vannes as it is an uncapped match, rather than a full-blown Test.
He will complete the five years of residence to be eligible 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 play in both the second row and back row, is included among the forwards. The 27-year-old won the most recent of his 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 taste of the senior set-up.
Saracens teenager Noah Caluori, the Prem’s top try-scorer this season, could be in line for a start, with Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck also among the wing options.
Northampton and Exeter’s players are excluded while they prepare for Saturday’s Prem final, but Steve Borthwick will have the option of a heavyweight Leicester second row combination of George Martin and Ollie Chessum available to him.
With England contemplating resting Maro Itoje during the summer, a strong performance from the Leicester pair could convince the coach to leave his skipper behind.
France’s squad for the game is without 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 line up in midfield with club colleague Yoram Moefana.
Wing Theo Attisogbe, who has 10 tries in 13 appearances at Test level, is also included.
