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One change as Steve Borthwick names his England team two days early
By Liam Heagney
Steve Borthwick has named his latest England team two days earlier than planned, making one change to his starting side to host Scotland in next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations round three match in London.
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The head coach wasn’t due to declare his hand until Thursday lunchtime, but he ended all the speculation with his Tuesday afternoon confirmation of an XV where Ollie Chessum has been promoted from the bench to start at lock in place of the benched George Martin.
Chessum was a 61st-minute replacement for Martin in the dramatic February 8 round two win over France and with Martin on last week’s injury rehabilitation list at training, Chessum has leapfrogged his Leicester teammate in the selection pecking order.
While the Allianz Stadium visit of the Scots will see a first start for Chessum since the round five game away to France in Lyon last March, Borthwick has backed his 14 other most recent starters to deliver along with a six/two bench split where the only alteration is the accommodation of Martin.
It means that Borthwick has given his endorsement for Marcus Smith to retain the No15 shirt and start for a second successive time at full-back following eight successive appearances as the starting No10, the position now occupied by Fin Smith.
“We are looking forward to what will be another challenging and exciting match against Scotland,” said Borthwick in an RFU statement. “The Calcutta Cup is a special fixture, and we are determined to perform to our very best in front of our supporters at Allianz Stadium.”
England (vs Scotland, Saturday)
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 41 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 71 caps)
11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 68 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 46 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 90 caps) – captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 58 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 39 caps)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens, 3 caps)
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Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 98 caps) – vice-captain
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 7 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
19. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 12 caps)
21. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 8 caps)
22. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 12 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 70 caps)
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Chessum for George R R Martin is interesting. It may have been slightly forced as Martin was touch and go due to injury. Martin hasn't looked his best and Chessum has added real impact. We lose a fair amount of ballast but it's made up for in skill, work rate and lineout ability. Last season I'd have said this was more of a loss but Chessum looks to have improved his physicality. The Scots aren't a big, physical side so it may be good selection anyway. The additional ballast that Martin brings isn't so needed against the Scots. Chessum being more mobile may prove to be an excellent inclusion.
I do think its a shame Borthwick couldn’t find space for both.
Itoje/Martin/Chessum/Curry/Earl feels like the most solid lineup to me right now
Is Steve just going to copy everything Rassie does? Cute
I hope not, or next time England lose he’ll make a video trying to ruin a referee’s career to intimidate the referee of the next match - and we wouldn’t want that.
the lad playing 15 is garbage
at playing 15
You’ve a hard on for Marcus lad. I’d say leave it off, you’re attacking him at every opportunity. We get it, you don’t rate him but obviously they want a second playmaker at 15 from deep and are kinda facilitating him without Furbank there. So lets see how he gets on Saturday?!
Patently, and obviously, to anyone who knows anything about rugby - he’s not.
I hope Slade continues to deliver as I’ve been very critical of him since the Autumn … and how Randall is still getting selected on the bench ahead of Spencer will forever puzzle me. Apart from that I’m hopeful of ending the losing streak against the Scots with this team.
You have to think Randall is just keeping the bench warm for Quirke. Rightly or wrongly, I just don’t think Borthwick sees Spencer as a long-term prospect.
As for Slade, I think his position is probably one of the ones being most at risk and there’s a suggestion Dingwall may/could come in. That said, if F. Smith can bring the Slade/Lawrence partnership to life, then Slade could hold his position.
If you were picking a starting 9 then I could see an argument for Spencer although frankly while he's an excellent premiership 9, I don't think he's ever looked good for England. JVP isn't exactly a livewire but when he was put in for Spencer in the autumn there was a dramatic uplift in tempo. I just don't think Spencer has got it at international level, he's too much of a steady Eddy.
Randall is a rough diamond. His kicking looked to have improved but seems to be very hit and miss. His good kicks are really good and his bad kicks are shocking. He has the potential to add impact and create game winning moments which is what a coach wants on the bench. If Mitchell is injured in the first half then it could backfire. Randall is an excellent rugby player, I'm glad Steve is keeping him around, he needs more minutes to grow in confidence.