Maro Itoje has been rested for England's coming tour, with Jamie George named as captain for the Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has stood Itoje down from the opening phase of the Nations Championship after second rows Alex Coles and George Martin came through the weekend's action without any fitness issues.
It follows a year in which Itoje led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia, played in the pre-Christmas and Six Nations campaigns and mourned the death of his mother.
It would also be in recognition of the 31-year-old having completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game over the last decade.
Borthwick has placed George in charge, with the veteran Lions hooker seen as an ideal alternative given he skippered England throughout 2024 before being replaced by Itoje.
