Maro Itoje will be rested for England's huge clash with South Africa next month, and senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth insists it is the correct decision.

England face off against the Springboks on July 4, with Tests against Fiji and Argentina to follow that, and Itoje will be sitting out for all of those.

The decision has been made to give the England captain an extended time away from the sport, given he exceeded World Rugby's recommended limit of 30 matches in a season twice.

Itoje did so in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns and captained the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia last year.

The 31-year-old will lead England at the World Cup in Australia next year as well, but for now, they are keen to make sure Itoje does not overwork himself.

"I'm incredibly happy that we've been able to do right by him," said Wigglesworth.

Tournament ready

Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his England Senior Men's squad for the Nations Championship.@O2 | #WearTheRose

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"He has had a lot on, not just last year but for the last however many years of his career, so we are lucky to be in that position with the strength in depth in that position – so Maro is going to take his rest.

"What Maro does as well as anyone is use his time really well, so I'm looking forward to catching up after he's had a bit of rest, and he's flying."

England begin the inaugural Nations Championship against South Africa in Johannesburg, before travelling back to Liverpool to meet Fiji, and then finishing against Argentina in Santiago del Estero.