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George Furbank starts for axed Steward as England make five changes
By Liam Heagney
Freddie Steward has been dropped by England boss Steve Borthwick for the second time in six games. The full-back was originally axed for last October’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Fiji in Marseille, the No15 shirt being worn instead by Marcus Smith.
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Steward bounced back to retake the jersey from the injured Smith for the following weekend’s semi-final against South Africa.
However, despite impressing with his aerial game in the recent Guinness Six Nations win over Wales at Twickenham, he has now been omitted from the match day 23 for this Saturday’s round three game away to Scotland.
The surprise naming of the 27-year-old George Furbank as the starting full-back for his first cap since 2022 is one of five changes to the starting line-up despite England going two wins from two in the opening rounds of the Six Nations for the first time since 2019.
Their recent 16-14 victory over Wales was the first time since the World Cup five years ago in Japan that England had fielded an unchanged team from one match to the next.
However, having shown faith in his starting XV at the start of the current championship moving from Rome to London, the Borthwick outlook is now very different heading to Edinburgh.
Aside from including Furbank at No15 for just his seventh Test cap, a decision that was purely a selection call and not because of an injury to Steward, Borthwick has also named the fit-again Ollie Lawrence rather than Manu Tuilagi as the starting inside centre.
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Fraser Dingwall, a try-scorer versus the Welsh, drops out while the knee injury to Alex Mitchell has seen his place as the starting scrum-half given to the promoted Danny Care.
In the pack, the two changes to the starting line-up are at prop where Ellis Genge and Dan Cole are promoted from the bench to start in place of Joe Marler and Will Stuart, who will both act as replacements at BT Murrayfield.
Two fresh reserves, other than Marler and Stuart, are the fit-again George Martin, who takes over from Alex Coles, while the promoted Care’s spot is taken by Ben Spencer.
Borthwick said in an RFU team announcement statement: “We are pleased with the start we have made to our Guinness Six Nations campaign but know that a difficult test awaits us in Edinburgh against an in-form Scotland team.
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“The atmosphere is always special for any Calcutta Cup match and I’m sure this weekend’s game at Murrayfield will be no different. This group of players are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday and to creating some very special memories.”
Scotland earlier named a team with three changes from their round two loss to France. Blair Kinghorn and Kyle Steyn were included at full-back and right wing respectively in place of Harry Paterson and Kyle Rowe, while Jamie Ritchie was recalled in place of Matt Fagerson at blindside.
England (vs Scotland, Saturday)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 59 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 66 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 93 caps) – vice-captain
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 98 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 59 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 87 caps) – captain
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 78 caps) – vice-captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
6. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 32 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 27 caps)
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 9 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 90 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 35 caps)
19. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 2 caps)
21. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
Anyone who has watched Furbank this season cannot deny he is quicker in speed and thought than Steward who can certainly catch a high ball and is quick in a straight line as long as he doesnt have to turn . Should the oppo NOT kick high balls all day then Steward is out of his comfort zone . Perhaps this is why he is not playing . he will be back against the right team.
England 2014 . Care 9 ford 10 . England 2024 Care 9 Ford 10 .
Is this the “ NEW ENGLAND “
Just saying .
I just cant wait to see Fin Russell v George Ford . I really really hope Ford can make me look foolish . Cos if he can England will win.
Any takers for a fiver???
I believe Scotland tend to kick long off 10. They played more contestable kicks off 9 against France as they also have a very good long kicking game. I think Furbank, while not Stewart good under the bomb, can cover the back field quicker.
So seems to be horses for courses. Be interesting to see if it helps.
It's a English team that can definitely beat Scotland would like to have seen Feyi-Waboso in place of Daly and CCS at 8 and Earl at 7.
Is this Borthwick and horses for courses selection? Steward rested to bring in for the Ireland game who might not have Keenan, and an inexperienced fly half at 10. Kick the leather off it and have Steward catch them all. Nearly worked at the world cup.
This week the backs look good, confident, had good seasons, just a pity Marcus Smith isn’t playing who as a running threat is more likely to bring them in to it.
Jury out on selection I suppose, but I do expect a Scottish win. Hope I am wrong.
I am very glad that Lawrence is starting, and that Dan has kept his bench spot, and that Martin is being used as an impact player.
I am shocked and nervous, but slightly excited that Steward is out the team. I try to keep faith in Borthwick, so I’m going to try to avoid being too negative and just hope that he knows more than I do about England’s potential to play running rugby.