Steve Borthwick announces England Six Nations team for Calcutta Cup LIVE
Manu Tuilagi has been dropped by Steve Borthwick as the head coach named a revamped side for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Tuilagi, a veteran of 46 caps and a regular choice for the Red Rose for much of the past decade, has not even been named in Borthwick’s first 23-man squad.
Joe Marchant takes the 31-year-old’s place in the England line-up, with Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell to resume their playmaking axis for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
Wing Ollie Hassell-Collin has been handed his first cap in a rejigged midfield following injuries to Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly in the build-up to Saturday’s fixture.
Ben Curry will be awarded his first cap against major opposition following his debut in an underwhelming victory over the United States nearly two years ago.
Follow all the updates as England announce team to face Scotland in Six Nations opener:
England Six Nations team announcement
Steve Borthwick names first England team
England face Scotland in Six Nations opener on Saturday
England veteran Manu Tuilagi left out, Joe Marchant recalled
Borthwick sticks with Farrell and Smith 10-12 axis
England start new era by relying on old failure
15:00 , Michael Jones
England fans who thought, or maybe hoped, the start of the Steve Borthwick era would spell the end of the seemingly doomed Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell combination that came to define the demise of Eddie Jones’s tenure will be in for a shock when seeing the starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
There, at fly half, is the name Marcus Smith, with Owen Farrell in the No 12 jersey outside him. Cue mass panic and social media hand-wringing over the return of this most unpopular of experiments.
Smith-Farrell was the 10-12 axis that brought down the Jones regime. It was supposed to be a cheat code in attack, a way of squeezing two elite fly halves into the team as a double-playmaker pivot to create an unpredictable, unstoppable force. It unequivocally failed.
England start new era by relying on old failure
More from Borthwick
15:24 , Michael Jones
“I’ve asked Lewis (Ludlam) to bring all the strengths that he brings onto the international pitch. He carries, tackles, runs – he’s got grit. I’m not asking players to be anything different. I want Lewis to bring his strengths.
“Ollie (Chessum) is a fantastic young man who has grown immensely. His ability to play across the second row and six... his ability to cover the ground, at the line-out... the props telling me how hard he works at the scrum.
“That’s what the props want. He’s got an exciting future.”
Borthwick on Jamie George and Ben Curry
15:20 , Michael Jones
“He [George] adds not just on the field but with his personality and the wealth of his experience that he has. I’m not going to talk about players who are unavailable. I will talk about this exciting team. There are some players who have been outside of international rugby for some time who have been desperate to get back in.
“Ben has worked really hard for this opportunity. Sometimes they come along and it’s up to the players to grab them. I’m excited for this new back-row trio and Ben Earl off the bench. He’s another who has been fighting for an England opportunity – a fair few players have for a period of time.”
Borthwick on back three
15:16 , Michael Jones
Earlier this week England’s defensive coach, Kevin Sinfield, said he was excited about the backline and Steve Borthwick has echoed those sentiments in his presser saying:
“It is exciting when you look at the competition for places in the back three. Ollie Hassell-Collins has been playing well, not just this season but last season, too. He has power, speed, athleticism.
“Max Malins has the ability to find the ball and find space. Freddie Steward’s ability under the high ball and defensively... his finishing has also developed into a real strength”
Borthwick on midfield picks
15:11 , Michael Jones
Steve Borthwick has been giving a quick press conference about his team selection and explained why he went for Marchant, Farrell and Smith in midfield.
“I’m picking a team for this week. And there is competition for places. There should always be good players not in the 23. That’s what we want; depth, people competing and fighting for the shirt.” said the head coach,
“This week’s selection has been made for this week, against a specific opponent. Then next week is next week. Manu [Tuilagi] was the incredible professional that he is when I told him he wasn’t involved. I explained my selection and the reasons, we shook hands, and then he went and trained really hard. That’s a testament to his character.
“It’s the right combination for this game. Joe Marchant at 13 works really well with Marcus. You see how they connect ball in hand... those great attacking kicks that Marcus Smith has and how Marchant finds them.“Some of England and the Lions’ best performances have taken place with Owen Farrell in the 12 shirt.”
Townsend was Scotland to ‘inspire the nation’ ahead of Calcutta Cup clash
14:54 , Michael Jones
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has challenged his side to “inspire their nation” ahead of their Six Nations opener against England/
Townsend named his starting XV for the Calcutta Cup clash on Thursday, omitting regular scrum-half Ali Price from the matchday 23.
Scotland triumphed the last time that the two sides met at Twickenham but the win – their first at the home of English rugby since 1983 – took place behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Townsend admitted that a win on Saturday in front of a full house would be an even better result.
“It would be massive,” Townsend said. “2021 meant so much, too; we were sent videos from people at home who had been confined to their houses during lockdown. That gave us a massive lift. But we’re here to win and we’re here to inspire our nation and make them proud. For that, there’s no better fixture.
“The atmosphere at Twickenham is always of anticipation and excitement. It’s their first Six Nations game, it will be loud. The first few minutes, the crowd will be supporting their team.
“It’s a challenge to focus the mind. We’ve had England first up the past two seasons. It means more than just a one-off fixture. But it’ll be hugely challenging away from home against England. We have to be at our best for 80 minutes and that does focus the players’ minds.”
Twickenham boos ‘definitely’ hurt England players, says Owen Farrell
14:52 , Michael Jones
Owen Farrell has said that being booed off by home fans after the defeat to South Africa “definitely” hurt as England prepare to return to Twickenham.
The 27-13 loss to the Springboks closed a disappointing autumn campaign for England, with home supporters voicing their displeasure at the full time whistle after a meek display.
The defeat precipitated the departure of head coach Eddie Jones, with Steve Borthwick installed as the Australian’s replacement.
Farrell: Twickenham boos ‘definitely’ hurt England players
Borthwick’s first England team
14:49 , Michael Jones
Wing Ollie Hassell-Collins will make his England debut in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham with captain Owen Farrell starting at 12, partnering fly-half Marcus Smith.
Flanker Ben Curry earns his second England cap 17 months after his first and steps in for injured brother Tom. Jack van Poortvliet is England’s starting scrum-half, pushing the experienced Ben Youngs to the bench.
Max Malins returns to the back three where Freddie Steward starts at full-back while in the front row, hooker Jamie George will start - since completing a return to play after a concussion.
Ollie Chessum partners Maro Itoje in the second row and Curry is joined by Lewis Ludlam in the back row, with Alex Dombrandt at number eight.
Manu Tuilagi dropped by Steve Borthwick for England’s Six Nations opener
14:46 , Michael Jones
Manu Tuilagi has been dropped by Steve Borthwick as the head coach named a revamped side for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Tuilagi, a veteran of 46 caps and a regular choice for the Red Rose for much of the past decade, has not even been named in Borthwick’s first 23-man squad.
Joe Marchant takes the 31-year-old’s place in the England line-up, with Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell to resume their playmaking axis for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
Manu Tuilagi dropped by Steve Borthwick for England’s Six Nations opener
English rugby’s next chapter
14:43 , Michael Jones
“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.” said head coach Steve 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. 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.”
Sinfield ‘delighted’ with backline options.
14:40 , Michael Jones
Steve Borthwick’s new defence coach, Kevin Sinfield, says he is “delighted” with England’s backline options despite injuries to Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly.
“Sometimes the sum of the parts is greater than the whole,” Sinfield said. “In getting those right combinations, there are some players on our side who enable players to go from a seven out of 10 to an eight out of 10 just by being there and their influence.
“There’s a lot more that goes into selecting a side than just what you guys see. It’s what we feel and what we see 24-7. It’s not just what happens on the grass, that leadership element is really important.”
England team vs Scotland
14:37 , Michael Jones
Steve Borthwick has named his first England starting XV as head coach and as expected Manu Tuilagi is left out of the matchday 23.
Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith will continue their 10-12 combination in England’s midfield, while Lewis Ludlam, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt comprise a new-look back-row.
Joe Marchant is recalled to outside centre ahead of both Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence while Ollie Chessum partners Maro Itoje in the second row.
England team vs Scotland
14:35 , Michael Jones
ENGLAND 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)
When are England’s Six Nations matches?
14:30 , Michael Jones
Round 1 - Saturday 4 February
England vs Scotland, 4.45pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
Round 2 - Sunday 12 February
England vs Italy, 3pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
Round 3 - Saturday 25 February
Wales vs England, 4.45pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (BBC & S4C)
Round 4 - Saturday 11 March
England vs France, 4.45pm, Twickenham, London (ITV & BBC)
Round 5 - Saturday 18 March
Ireland vs England, 5pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (ITV)
Tuilagi set to miss out on England team
14:25 , Michael Jones
Manu Tuilagi is expected to be left out of Steve Borthwick’s England team to face Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday reports the Telegraph.
Since his debut in 2011, the 31-year-old Tuilagi has been a regular under successive England coaches but despite being retained in the 29-man squad it is understood he is set to miss out.
Instead, Joe Marchant’s reported inclusion will provide England with pace and dynamism but without the power of Tuilagi.
How to watch England vs Scotland
14:20 , Michael Jones
England face Scotland at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup on Saturday 4th February with kick-off at 4.45pm.
The match is being broadcast live on ITV and ITVX with coverage starting at 4pm.
Gregor Townsend explains reasons for dropping Ali Price
14:15 , Michael Jones
Gregor Townsend has backed Ali Price to bounce back strongly from his omission from the Scotland rugby 23 for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with England.
The 29-year-old scrum half has been a mainstay throughout the head coach’s five-and-a-half-year reign, winning 58 caps since his debut in 2016.
However, Price has struggled for form at Glasgow this season and has lost the No 9 jersey to London Irish’s Ben White for this weekend’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham.
Gregor Townsend explains reasons for dropping Ali Price
Scotland name side to face England in Six Nations opener
14:10 , Michael Jones
Zander Fagerson has not been deemed ready to make the 23-man squad for Scotland’s Six Nations opener away to England on Saturday.
The Glasgow prop has been sidelined since the start of December with a hamstring injury, although forwards coach John Dalziel said on Tuesday he was in contention and “in the shape of his life” for the Calcutta Cup showdown.
However, head coach Gregor Townsend has opted to give the 2021 British &Irish Lions squad member more time to get up to speed as he has not been included in the side for this weekend’s match at Twickenham.
Scotland name side to face England in Six Nations opener
Who is currently in England’s 29-man squad?
14:05 , Michael Jones
Forwards:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 1 cap), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 3 caps), Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 caps), Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped).
Backs:
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps), Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 caps), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 caps), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps), Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps).
When is the England squad being announced?
14:00 , Michael Jones
New England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to reduce his current 29-man squad to the matchday 23 on Thursday afternoon.
The England squad will be released at 2.45pm.
England’s Six Nations team announcement
12:49 , Michael Jones
The new head coach of England men’s rugby, Steve Borthwick, is set to announcement his first team squad for their opening Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday.
Borthwick has a squad of 29 players that needs whittling down to 23 for the match with the announcement set for 2.45pm this afternoon.
Some early rumours have leaked through the cracks and England veteran Manu Tuilagi is expected to be left out though Joe Marchant could face a recall.
Scotland have won both of the last two matches in this fixture with England only managing one win out of the last five Six Nations clashes.
Can Borthwick’s team turn around that poor form?
