With England’s first game of the Six Nations just a few weeks away, Steve Borthwick named his squad earlier in the week for the upcoming tournament. A change of captaincy and some shock omissions, this is how they could line up for the opening game against Ireland on February 1st.
1 – Ellie Genge
Not just a top quality scrummager, Bristol prop, Genge is a very mobile prop in the loose with a slick set of hands.
2 – Jamie George
Despite losing the captaincy role to Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje, George seems to still be in the hot seat to start at Hooker in Dublin.
3 – Will Stuart
Having started in all four of England’s Autumn test, Stuart would be expected to keep his starting spot for the begging of the tournament
4 – Maro Itoje
An ever present in the second row and now captain, Itoje will be hoping to begin his spell as skipper with a positive result in Ireland
5 – George Martin
Having made his debut for England in 2021, Martin has excelled in the last few seasons and become an important cog in the English forward pack
6 – Ollie Chessum
With such high competition in the backrow, the sheer size and power of Chessum could see him start at six, to combat the powerful Irish pack.
7 – Ben Earl
The agile Saracens backrower will be looking to bring his great form for his club into an England shirt.
8 – Tom Willis
One of the players of the season so far in the Gallagher Premiership, having only been capped once for his country, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 25-year-old slot straight into the starting line-up
9 – Alex Mitchell
Having missed the Autumn Nation Series through injury, Mitchell returned from injury for Northampton Saints in late November and continued where he left off. Fast paced play off the back of the ruck and ability to spot and gap in a split second is something England will be hoping to utilise.
10 – Fin Smith
Having another impressive season for Northampton Saints so far, it could be Fin Smith’s time to step up into the starting fly-half spot. A calm head who performs well under pressure which was shown in Saints’ 35-34 victory over Bath a couple weeks ago, with the 22-year-old slotting a match winning penalty in added time.
11 – Ollie Sleightholme
The Northampton winger looks set to retain his spot on the wing with the injured Emmanuel Feyi-Waboso sidelined for the tournament with a shoulder injury. Sleightholme has also been injured himself over the last few weeks but should be back fit for the opening game in Dublin.
12 – Ollie Lawrence
Pace and power in the midfield, the dynamic centre offers defensive solidity but also a very dangerous runner with ball in hand, which he has shown many times for Bath this campaign.
13 – Henry Slade
Some may feel it’s time for change in the English midfield with calls for Fraser Dingwall to have a shot at centre. But I feel Borthwick will stick with the tried and tested Lawrence-Slade partnership, despite Slade playing the majority of his rugby at fly-half for an under-performing Exeter side this season.
14 – Tommy Freeman
Partnering his Northampton Saints teammate on the other wing, Tommy Freeman looks set to continue in the 14 shirt, after a positive Autumn Nations Series for the Red Roses
15 – Freddie Steward
With George Furbank out injured, it seems a no brainer for Steward to come into the starting 15. The Leicester fullback has been in fine form for the East-Midlands side this season. Despite calls for Marcus Smith to drop back and play in the 15 shirt, Steward’s aerial presence and improved attacking game should see him starting.
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