As England gears up for their final Six Nations clash against France at the Stade de France, all eyes are on Steve Borthwick's lineup choices, with the team playing solely for pride after a string of defeats. This match, once hyped as a potential Grand Slam decider, has become a test bed for tactical experimentation, with Borthwick poised to shake things up in response to recent setbacks.
England's performance has been underwhelming, culminating in an unprecedented loss to Italy, marking their first defeat to the Azzurri in 33 years. This has set the stage for what could be England’s worst finish in the Six Nations history. Steve Borthwick, facing the heat, is expected to pivot from the failing kicking strategy and integrate new styles and players into the fray.
"We need to adapt and evolve our approach. The current strategy isn't yielding the results we expect," Borthwick remarked following the Italy debacle.
Injury has sidelined Tom Curry, prompting changes in the back-row. Sam Underhill is likely to step in, bringing robustness to the defense. The backline could see George Furbank returning as full-back, adding depth to the attack and solidity in aerial play. Henry Slade is tipped to bring his seasoned prowess back to the midfield, potentially replacing Tommy Freeman who might shift to the wing.
The inside centre remains a contentious spot, with neither Fraser Dingwall nor Seb Atkinson firmly securing the position. Meanwhile, the half-back duo of Ben Spencer and Fin Smith is expected to continue, despite needing to step up their game in Paris.
England's scrum showed promise against Italy, likely keeping Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, and Jamie George in the starting lineup. The bench will see familiar faces like Luke Cowan-Dickie and the dynamic Chandler Cunningham-South, ready to add firepower if called upon.
England's predicted starting XV: George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Cadan Murley, Fin Smith, Ben Spencer, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, Alex Coles, Maro Itoje (c), Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Ellis Genge. Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Henry Pollock, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.
This match presents a crucial opportunity for England to salvage some pride and for Borthwick to fine-tune his squad with the World Cup on the horizon. The pressure is undoubtedly on, but it's also a chance for players to step up and reshape the narrative surrounding English rugby.
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As England gears up for their final Six Nations clash against France at the Stade de France, all eyes are on Steve Borthwick's lineup choices, with the team playing solely for pride after a string of defeats. This match, once hyped as a potential Grand Slam decider, has become a test bed for tactical experimentation, with Borthwick poised to shake things up in response to recent setbacks.
England's performance has been underwhelming, culminating in an unprecedented loss to Italy, marking their first defeat to the Azzurri in 33 years. This has set the stage for what could be England’s worst finish in the Six Nations history. Steve Borthwick, facing the heat, is expected to pivot from the failing kicking strategy and integrate new styles and players into the fray.
"We need to adapt and evolve our approach. The current strategy isn't yielding the results we expect," Borthwick remarked following the Italy debacle.
Injury has sidelined Tom Curry, prompting changes in the back-row. Sam Underhill is likely to step in, bringing robustness to the defense. The backline could see George Furbank returning as full-back, adding depth to the attack and solidity in aerial play. Henry Slade is tipped to bring his seasoned prowess back to the midfield, potentially replacing Tommy Freeman who might shift to the wing.
The inside centre remains a contentious spot, with neither Fraser Dingwall nor Seb Atkinson firmly securing the position. Meanwhile, the half-back duo of Ben Spencer and Fin Smith is expected to continue, despite needing to step up their game in Paris.
England's scrum showed promise against Italy, likely keeping Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, and Jamie George in the starting lineup. The bench will see familiar faces like Luke Cowan-Dickie and the dynamic Chandler Cunningham-South, ready to add firepower if called upon.
England's predicted starting XV: George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Cadan Murley, Fin Smith, Ben Spencer, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper, Alex Coles, Maro Itoje (c), Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Ellis Genge. Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Henry Pollock, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.
This match presents a crucial opportunity for England to salvage some pride and for Borthwick to fine-tune his squad with the World Cup on the horizon. The pressure is undoubtedly on, but it's also a chance for players to step up and reshape the narrative surrounding English rugby.