Harlequins’ prop star Fin Baxter lined up for England call after impressive breakthrough season… with Dan Cole also expected to be named in squad for summer tour of Japan and New Zealand

Harlequins’ new prop star, Fin Baxter, is set to be included in England’s squad for the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand – alongside a Test centurion who has just turned 37.

While Dan Cole is expected to embark on yet another long-haul crusade with the national team, as a reflection of the fact that the veteran Tiger is still needed by his country after all these years, he will be tasked with passing on his wisdom to the newcomer in the Red Rose ranks. 

Baxter is just 22 and the baby-faced Londoner is on the verge of his first senior international call-up, as due reward for what has become a breakthrough season.

In February, Baxter was named as the starting loosehead in an England A side which routed a young Portugal line-up 91-5 at Welford Road. It was an indication that national coach Steve Borthwick sees the acclaimed prodigy as the next emerging contender for the No 1 shirt.

His case was further enhanced last month when Quins stunned Bordeaux to win an epic Champions Cup quarter-final tie 42-41 in the south of France. Baxter had a key role in the seismic shock, as he destroyed the hosts’ 23-stone Tongan cult hero, Ben Tameifuna, in a remarkable scrum onslaught, in alliance with Will Collier at tighthead and hooker Jack Walker.

On Saturday, Baxter has to settle for a bench role for his club against Exeter at Sandy Park, on what will be his 50th Harlequins appearance. On this occasion, Joe Marler will start, but it is understood that the man who reclaimed his status as England’s first-choice loosehead during the World Cup last year is not going on the summer tour, which has created a vacancy. Borthwick is expected to name Ellis Genge, along with Bevan Rodd of Sale and Baxter.

In a recent interview with Mail Sport, Baxter admitted that he had not made holiday plans for the period after the end of the domestic season, to keep his diary free in the hope of tour selection. 

He added: ‘I think I’m ready. I want to play for England, I want to play for the Lions. That’s been my plan since the start, but I don’t like getting ahead of myself. I’m really proud of how well I’ve done this season and it would be beyond my imagination if it happens.’

Meanwhile, there had been a widespread assumption that Cole would retire from Test rugby at the end of the World Cup, but instead he has played on. 

As Kyle Sinckler is on his way to Toulon in France this summer after relinquishing his status as the pre-eminent English tighthead, Cole remains highly valued by Borthwick. His main challenger is the experienced Will Stuart of Bath, but third place in the pecking order is wide open, with Leicester’s Joe Heyes chosen to start in the England ‘A’ match.

Before the pre-tour training camps begin, an intriguing tussle for the Premiership play-off spots will intensity this afternoon. Quins are fifth and face a difficult assignment in Devon, where sixth-placed Exeter are still in the hunt. 

The visitors have Danny Care – fresh from agreeing a contract extension – on their bench, along with Will Evans, as Will Porter and James Chisholm deputise in the starting XV.

Dan Cole is expected to embark on yet another long-haul crusade with the national team

Billy Vunipola has been cleared to play for Saracens after his recent arrest and court appearance in Majorca, but the giant No 8 is again left to bide his time on the bench, with Tom Willis preferred at the base of the champions’ scrum for their clash with in-form Bristol at Ashton Gate. 

Saracens closed out an impressive win at Bath in their last league outing, but are on alert about the threat posed by the Bears, who have scored 137 points in their last two home games.

While the title holders can all but guarantee a home semi-final if they win again in the West Country, the objective is the same for top-of-the-table Northampton, who host Gloucester. The Saints – who were narrowly beaten by Leinster in last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin – are again led by Courtney Lawes and have brought Angus Scott-Young and Ollie Sleightholme back into their starting line-up. 

Zach Mercer is absent from the visitors’ match-day 23 as they prioritise preparing for the Challenge Cup Final in Tottenham on May 24.