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.

Wales have been boosted by the return from injury of highly-regarded back-row Alex Callender for their uncapped encounter against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 27 June.

The 25-year-old missed Wales’ Women’s Six Nations campaign because of injury, but is set to return for a fixture that follows a men’s international against the Barbarians in a double-header at the home of English rugby.

Head coach Sean Lynn’s 33-strong training squad includes 14 uncapped players, while 24 members of the squad play for Wales-based teams Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.

Lynn has his eye on the future after Wales suffered a winless Six Nations and emphasised that focus.

“It’s a real opportunity to continue to build our playing philosophy and to have a look at the exciting young talent now coming through our pathway and through the Celtic Challenge teams, Wales U21s and Wales U18s,” said Lynn.

“All the players have been told there is a real opportunity to play against an experienced Barbarians side and not to assume that they will or will not play.

“The door is open for selection, and this is a good opportunity for our younger players to taste what is expected at international level.”

Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Hannah Dallavalle, Nel Metcalfe, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Jorja Aiono and Alaw Pyrs were all involved with Gloucester-Hartpury in Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final defeat by Ealing Trailfinders.

They have not been named in Wales’ initial squad and will be assessed on Thursday.

Saracens duo Georgia Evans and Donna Rose, and Trailfinders back Carys Cox, will be involved in the PWR final on the same weekend as the Barbarians game so will not be involved for Wales.

Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of Spain vs Cape Verde in Group H of the 2026 World Cup.

Spain are among the strong contenders to win the tournament and add to their European Championship title of two years ago.

Today they face debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta — and it’s hard to see past Luis de la Fuente’s side topping this group above Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and their opponents today.

But anything can happen in tournament football and Cape Verde truly have nothing to lose.

Stick with us for all the build-up, team news, and analysis ahead of kick-off later today.