02 February 2023 , 14:47
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Steve Borthwick has begun life as England rugby coach by changing half the team to start the Six Nations.
Eddie Jones’ successor has wasted no time putting his own stamp on things by dropping centre Manu Tuilagi and both wings from the autumn.
Up front he has made changes to all three rows of the scrum, picking a completely new back row to face Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Borthwick said: “There is no doubt that this England team shares the supporters’ sense of eager anticipation.
“To a man, the players are determined to play with the commitment, fight and desire that is at the very heart of representing England, the sort of passion that our tremendous supporters rightly expect.”
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London Irish’s Ollie Hassell-Collins makes his debut at left wing, with Ben Curry given his Six Nations bow at openside flanker.
Joe Marchant replaces Tuilagi in midfield where a rash of injuries means captain Owen Farrell remaining at inside-centre alongside fly-half Marcus Smith.
Jack Walker is in line to make his England debut after being named as substitute. Dan Cole is set to earn his 96th Test cap more than three years after his last one.
Anthony Watson could also make his first England appearance following injury since March 2021.
“There are few fixtures in the rugby calendar that excite both players and supporters alike more than the annual Six Nations meeting of the Auld Enemy as they battle for the honour of lifting the Calcutta Cup,” added Borthwick.
“Another packed Twickenham will witness the start of the next chapter of English rugby in one of the most keenly contested tournaments in the world."
Manu Tuilagi is a high-profile absenteeENGLAND XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps) (C)
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks,1 cap)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
23. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps)