Who are the 10 uncapped players in Steve Borthwick's England squad for Summer Tour?

Then a one-off exhibition Test follows against the USA Eagles, with the stunning Audi Field in Washington DC set to provide the back-drop for the fixture. The international Summer tours have long been a proving ground for the uncapped England players, with all the more opportunities given how such a solid cohort of players are now in Australia with the Lions.

Borthwick has named 10 uncapped players for the upcoming tour of the Americas, alongside an array of experienced Test match veterans. The squad, which has a combined total of 561 caps, will be co-captained by Jamie George and George Ford, and is made up of 20 forwards and 16 backs. Ford is expected to make his 100th England cap against Argentina, whilst these 10 uncapped hopefuls are all eager to get onto the Test match stage for the first time.

Once seen as the heir-apparent to George Ford at Leicester, Charlie Atkinson has had a turbulent yet promising career. Still only 23, Atkinson made his mark as a precocious teenager at Wasps, where his dazzling footwork, quick release and fearless counter-attacking stood out. After Wasps’ collapse, a stint with Leicester helped develop his game management before he found stability at Gloucester in 2023.

There, he’s matured into a composed fly-half with an intelligent kicking game, capable of controlling territory and playing heads-up rugby. Atkinson also offers versatility as he can comfortably slot in at full-back. He has been a key figure in Gloucester’s Premiership revival, and after representing England at age-grade and England A level, a senior debut seems like a natural progression.

No relation to his Cherry and White back-line partner and new-found England campmate, Seb Atkinson has been one of the standout midfielders in the Premiership this season. A strong-running inside centre with sharp handling skills and a commanding defensive presence, he has become a central cog in Gloucester’s backline. His fitness is unmatched, as Atkinson recorded a world-record 'bronco' test time of 4 minutes and 8 seconds ahead of the latest season, breaking Beauden Barrett's record time.

Initially a product of Worcester's academy, he moved to Gloucester in the aftermath of the Warriors’ financial collapse and wasted no time asserting himself. Atkinson possesses the kind of rugby intelligence and positional maturity that coaches love, he’s physical in contact but reads the game subtly, often providing the link between forwards and backs.

His hat-trick performance against Bristol this past season turned heads, as did his consistent form and strong leadership qualities at just 22 years old. His selection marks a richly deserved reward for a player who looks built for Test-level intensity.

Oscar Beard is a player who has previously flown under the radar due to the star-studded nature of Harlequins’ backline, but this could well change should he return to the Stoop as a Test capped player. Equally capable on the wing or in the centres, Beard has added layers to his game over the past two seasons. With Quins prioritising open-field attack, Beard has developed strong support lines, powerful carries, and intelligent spatial awareness to complement his already blistering pace.

This season, he’s also refined his kicking game and improved his defensive organisation. Many see him as a prototype of the modern utility back; quick, durable, and adaptable. Beard was part of the wider England training squad during the 2025 Six Nations and impressed Borthwick with his physicality and aerial ability. A debut cap on tour could be just the springboard he needs to get to that next level.

Joe Carpenter has quietly become one of the most consistent full-backs in English rugby. At just 22, the Sale Sharks No. 15 plays with a composure well beyond his years. He is excellent under the high ball, often tasked with defusing aerial bombardments, and his positioning and backfield coverage have been a major strength for Sale. What sets Carpenter apart is his tactical kicking and safe pair of hands in broken play, he rarely makes unforced errors and reads opposition movement cleverly.

His counter-attacking instincts also hint at untapped attacking potential. Having played a key role in Sale’s strong showings in the Premiership and Champions Cup over the past two seasons, Carpenter’s calmness and consistency offer Borthwick a reliable option at full-back. Carpenter was called up for the 2024 Summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, and will hope to go one step further for a debut on tour.

A rising enforcer in Gloucester’s engine room, Arthur Clark is a gritty, no-nonsense lock who does the unseen work in tight phases. He stepped up significantly this season following a series of injuries in the Cherry & Whites’ forward pack, earning praise for his lineout calling, ruck work, and defensive output.

Clark thrives in the physical exchanges and brings a real edge to the scrum. His leadership credentials are also growing, and he’s frequently cited as a future club captain. Though he may not have the headline-grabbing athleticism of some locks, his work rate and technical fundamentals mark him out as a long-term Test prospect. His call-up gives England added grunt and reliability in the second row that could certainly upset some of the flashy Pumas backs.

Emmanuel Iyogun is widely regarded as one of the most exciting front-row prospects in the country. Originally a back-row forward in his youth, Iyogun transitioned to loosehead and hasn’t looked back. At Northampton Saints, he’s been mentored by experienced campaigners and developed into a formidable scrummager with exceptional mobility.

His ability to get around the park and make dominant tackles, while maintaining a solid platform at scrum time, makes him perfectly suited to the modern game. This season, he was instrumental in helping Saints reach the Champions Cup Final, and his performance in the tournament drew widespread praise. With Ellis Genge away with the Lions, England are in need of depth at loose-head prop, Iyogun is very much one for the future, and yet maybe even the present.

Will Muir, affectionately known as “Horse” thanks to his powerful running style, has made a remarkable transition from England Sevens to XVs rugby. At Bath, he’s become one of the most feared finishers in the league, with his excellent strike rate helping the blue, black and whites complete an incredible Premiership, Challenge Cup and Prem Cup treble this past season.

Muir regularly causes problems for opposition defences, with his aerial prowess and relentless work rate. His background in sevens has equipped him with elite-level fitness, spatial awareness, and support running, and he uses all of these attributes to a devastating effect down at the Rec. At 29, he’s a mature debutant, but he has all the tools to become an instant impact player on the international stage.

Luke Northmore has been on the brink of England selection for over two years, and his call-up for a touring squad feels long overdue. A physically powerful centre with great hands and an eye for the gap, Northmore has been a consistent performer for Harlequins in both attack and defence.

Despite injuries stalling his momentum at times, he’s been one of the most reliable figures in Quins’ backline, linking well with his fellow countrymen Marcus Smith and Cadan Murley. His defensive organisation and crash-ball effectiveness make him an ideal candidate for England’s midfield structure, especially against the high octane attack of Argentina. Borthwick clearly sees value in his experience and versatility, with bright things expected from the 28-year-old.

Max Ojomoh is a player many England fans have been clamouring to see wear the red rose. The son of former England flanker Steve Ojomoh, Max brings attacking flair and explosive running from inside centre. He has a unique ability to step through traffic, often breaking the line with sharp footwork and quick acceleration. His partnership with Ollie Lawrence has long been tremendous in blue, black and white, with Borthwick looking to see if he should reunite the Bath centres on the England stage once Lawrence recovers from his Achille's injury.

While initially viewed as a flashy talent, Ojomoh has added more structure and physicality to his game, becoming a well-rounded playmaker in Bath’s midfield. He played a vital role in the club’s journey to Premiership glory, scoring in the semi-final and consistently making metres with ball in hand. With 80 appearances already under his belt at just 24, his Test debut feels like the next step in a blossoming career.

Still only 22, Guy Pepper has emerged as one of the most talked-about young flankers in the English game. A former Newcastle Falcon, Pepper’s move to Bath has seen his game explode, with a treble of trophies secured in his first season at the club. Known for his tenacity at the breakdown and heavy tackling, he was a nominee for Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2024 and has drawn comparisons to the likes of Tom Curry and even Richie McCaw by Bath coach Johann van Graan.

His tireless motor and natural instincts at the breakdown make him a serious candidate for a starting berth on tour. With England needing long-term solutions at openside, Pepper might just be the find of the tour. Pepper had to bide his time for a first hit out in England colours, as his road to the senior camp did not include the customary U20s honours. Pepper's first England experience was the narrow defeat to a France XV at the Allianz Stadium, which would only have readied him for the intensity of the full Test level.