Maro Itoje has been restored to the England captaincy for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland while Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker with Steve Borthwick otherwise keeping faith with the side who thrashed Wales last week.
Fin Smith replaces namesake Marcus in the No23 jersey but that, Itoje’s expected return to the starting lineup and the decision to utilise Jamie George’s experience from the bench, aside, Borthwick has challenged the majority of his players to repeat the trick at Murrayfield.
Ollie Lawrence was on track to be fit for Saturday’s match but Borthwick is determined to persevere with Tommy Freeman at outside centre. Henry Arundell, who scored a hat-trick against Wales, can expect a barrage of high balls coming his way at Murrayfield but Borthwick has resisted the temptation to tinker, again selecting the Bath flyer on the left wing. Tom Roebuck, who was a late call-up to replace the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso against Wales, continues on the right.
Ellis Genge was withdrawn at half-time against Wales and sat out training on Monday due to a hamstring niggle but he has been deemed fit to start in Edinburgh. Itoje’s return was expected – he was on the bench against Wales after missing the start of England’s training camp to attend his late mother’s funeral in Nigeria – but it is harsh on Alex Coles, who drops to the bench despite his excellent recent form.
With Fin Smith one of only two backs named on the bench, England appear light at cover in the three-quarters. Borthwick has talked up Smith’s ability to play at inside-centre in the past, however, and Ben Earl moved to midfield in the latter stages against Wales with Freeman returning to the wing.
Borthwick’s decision to start Cowan-Dickie makes sense insofar as it allows George to be fresh for the closing stages of the match. Elsewhere, Joe Heyes is again at tighthead prop, Ollie Chessum partners Itoje in the second-row while Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill and Earl comprise the back-row. Alex Mitchell is at scrum-half, George Ford at fly-half and Fraser Dingwall remains at inside-centre. Freddie Steward turns out at fullback.
On the bench, George, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison provide front-row cover with Coles, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock tasked with re-energising the forward pack in the second half. Ben Spencer is the back-up scrum-half in a 6-2 split with Fin Smith coming on to the bench.
“Playing Scotland at Murrayfield is always a fantastic occasion and a challenge we are relishing,” said Borthwick. “We made a pleasing start to the Championship, but we understand that we must continue to raise our standards. The squad has trained with focus and determination this week, and we’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves again on Saturday.”
