With England’s Six Nations squad being announced on Wednesday morning, questions start to appear over where which players will start and which will be not involved at all. Steve Borthwick led his England side to a fourth-place finish last year in his first Six Nations as head coach and will be keen to improve on his performance. Many legendary stalwarts of the English game, including Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes and Mako Vunipola, have decided to step away from the international scene and it is now down to the exciting prospects to lead the Red Roses into battle once more. Here is how England could shape up in their first match against Italy on 3rd February:
1. Ellis Genge – Bristol Bears
A long term operator at loose head. The Bristolian will be roaring to get going and will bring hard carrying in this somewhat smaller England team. Whilst his scrummaging has been the weaker side to his game in recent years, Genge offers lots of passion and a hard working attitude that is largely unmatched throughout Borthwick’s squad.
2. Jamie George (c) – Saracens
With Owen Farrell announcing his decision to step away from England duty, George has been selected as the new captain. He has been an ever present figure within England teams over the past few years and is a great choice to lead the line. His accurate ability to throw into the lineout and score off driving mauls could be a tactic that England employ during this campaign.
3. Will Stuart – Bath
The Bath tighthead has been left out of previous England lineups but now is his chance to take the number three jersey. His form for his club side, Bath, has been excellent and he should be given the opportunity to line up against Italy to play his best rugby.
4. Maro Itoje – Saracens
There is no doubt that Itoje should be one of the first names on the team sheet. A classy operator who always performs well no matter what. His thunderous tackling and efficient work around the breakdown is vital to England’s success. Itoje continues to go from strength to strength and is one of England’s most important players.
5. Ollie Chessum – Leicester Tigers
With the injury to George Martin, Chessum gets the nod in the second row. The Tigers man is a key player for Leicester and is able to bring his rangy stature and resilient attitude into this England side. He is great in defence and also fairly effective in attack with his ball carrying.
6. Chandler Cunningham-South – Harlequins
The first of the experimental players in this side, Cunningham-South is an extremely exciting prospect. Whilst he has not performed to his greatest ability this season at Quins, he can prove his worth at blindside flanker against Italy. His ferocity and speed could help England get on the front foot in a few weeks time.
7. Ben Earl – Saracens
The Saracens’ back rower is a brilliant player. Coming off a strong World Cup performance, he has cemented himself within the back row for England. Earl can play openside flanker or number eight if needed, showing his adaptability and importance in this team.
8. Alex Dombrandt – Harlequins
The Harlequins player will have been disappointed to miss out on the World Cup but he has returned this season with a bang. Arguably, he has been Harlequins’ standout performer this season and is rewarded with a return to the starting lineup for England. This backrow trio could have the potential to be destructive and hugely effective.
9. Alex Mitchell – Northampton Saints
Mitchell is surely England’s first choice scrum half now. His speed off passing from rucks and precise kicking is exceptional. The livewire player will be key to England’s success in the Six Nations.
10. Marcus Smith – Harlequins
It is time for Marcus Smith to truly lay a claim to the ten jersey. With Farrell unavailable and George Ford being sideline for part of this season, Smith can excel. However, the team needs to play a certain way around Smith in order to extract his best form. Whether that can happen is unclear at this moment.
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – Exeter Chiefs
The Exeter winger has been a revelation this season. With five tries scored so far in his second season for the Chiefs, his form has been rewarded with a call-up to the England team. Lots of speculation surrounded his international eligibility with Gatland’s Wales sniffing around but the Cardiff-born player decided to pledge allegiance to the Red Roses.
12. Ollie Lawrence – Bath
Since the demise of Worcester Warriors, Lawrence has been Bath’s best player. His scything runs and power to break through tackles is remarkable. Paired with his sharp hands and tactical awareness, Lawrence is a mainstay in the centres for England for years to come.
13. Henry Slade – Exeter Chiefs
Another player to miss out at the World Cup, Slade has been one of the best this season. His leadership and kicking ability should be heavily relied upon to lead England forward. Furthermore, this should help lift some pressure off of Smith and provide an extra option with his left foot.
14. Tom Roebuck – Sale Sharks
Another debutant, Roebuck has been plying his trade excellently for Sale Sharks. It is time for the winger to be capped by England. He is physical and pacey, presenting immediate danger for those opposing him.
15. Freddie Steward – Leicester Tigers
Confident and comfortable under the high ball. Ever reliable at the back. It is a no-brainer for Steward to be England’s full back yet again.
16. Theo Dan – Saracens
A similar position for Dan off of the bench, much like he did at the World Cup. An understudy to Jamie George and will do well to learn from the best.
17. Beno Obano – Bath
The Bath front rower has been unlucky with injuries but now is his chance to play at the pinnacle of European rugby. He has been key to the high flying Bath team in the Premiership and can play a part against Italy.
18. Dan Cole – Leicester Tigers
An experienced veteran of the game. Cole provides stability and sheer power to the side. Whilst many might think his age is holding him back, Cole shows no sign of slowing down.
19. Alex Coles – Northampton Saints
Capped a couple times in the Eddie Jones era, the Northampton Saints lock has been exceptional this season. He is a powerful workhorse and can have an opportunity against Italy.
20. Tom Pearson – Northampton Saints
Another player affected by the collapse of three English Premiership clubs, Pearson has shown no signs of slowing down. A recent hat-trick against Bayonne in the European Rugby Champions Cup exemplifies his attacking ability. Paired with strong tackling, Pearson is a player to watch out for.
21. Ben Spencer – Bath
Spencer should have lots more caps than he currently had. His passing is second to none and kicking is perfect. Now that Jones is out of the picture, Borthwick can get the best out of Spencer.
22. Fin Smith – Northampton Saints
Another Northampton Saint who is performing incredibly. Both Smith’s will be central to England’s squad in years to come and now is the time for Fin to be capped. He does not seem to be able to miss a place kick and should be afforded a spot on the bench to have a run out on his debut
23. Tommy Freeman – Northampton Saints
Freeman’s off season work has truly paid off. With a positional switch to outside centre and significant mass gain, Freeman has transformed himself. Whilst his performances against Australia in the summer tour a couple of years ago were a little shaky, Freeman has another chance to shine.
The Match Report 