England predicted line-up v Scotland: Steve Borthwick handed ‘crunch call’ as returning star backed to come ‘straight into the mix’
Ollie Lawrence (middle) and Maro Itoje (right) could come into the England starting line-up this weekend
Ahead of England’s Calcutta Cup Test against Scotland at Murrayfield, here is how we think Steve Borthwick’s side could line up.
England once again find themselves as favourites heading into the game, as they seek to end a five-year wait for a win north of the border.
Borthwick’s men secured an emphatic 48-7 win over Wales in their Six Nations opener and now boast a record of 12 Test wins in a row as a result. On the other hand, Scotland yet again failed to deliver, losing 18-15 to Italy in Rome.
They do have to contend with a big injury concern ahead of the trip to Murrayfield, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring issue, but Ollie Lawrence and Fin Smith are back in contention following their recoveries from respective knee and calf blows.
Straight into the mix?
The return of the aforementioned Lawrence could force a shake-up in the backline, with the Bath ace back in full training. The powerhouse centre commanded a starting shirt in last year’s Championship, given the reins to shine in his preferred 13 shirt, and also looked in great touch on his return for both club and country.
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In the here and now, it could be a good chance to bring him back into the side at 13, which then creates a dilemma elsewhere. Tommy Freeman did impress in his own shift at outside centre against Wales, but could be set to head out to the wing to make room for Lawrence this weekend. He would also reunite with Fraser Dingwall in the centres, with that duo heavily involved in their win over the All Blacks back in November.
That, in turn, leaves Borthwick with a crunch call out wide, with either Henry Arundell and Tom Roebuck set to miss out. You would think Roebuck would be the man to make way out of the two, given he has only just made his return from injury after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and was fast-tracked into the side this weekend following the injury to Feyi-Waboso, so giving him a week off could be a good idea.
While Lawrence is set to come straight into the mix, F. Smith could be forced to wait a bit longer to make his return to the England starting side, given the importance George Ford has within this new-look England attack. Ford should continue his Test partnership with F. Smith’s clubmate Alex Mitchell once more, with Ben Spencer backing up on the bench.
Freddie Steward also enjoyed a strong afternoon against Wales, particularly in the air, and that should see him retained ahead of George Furbank, with Marcus Smith again expected to wear 23.
Pack stability
While there could be a slightly new look in the backline, Borthwick could be set to keep the same forward unit together, just in slightly different combinations.
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Luke Cowan-Dickie could be set to come back into the starting XV this weekend, with Jamie George then adding some experience to the bench. While George enjoyed a fine outing against Wales, the Sale Sharks forward’s ballast and power in the carry could give them a real advantage against a Scotland side who struggled in that department against Italy.
In a similar mould, captain Maro Itoje should also come back into the run-on group this weekend, with Alex Coles likely to drop to the bench as a result. Ollie Chessum also seems likely to retain his starting shirt.
Elsewhere, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper should retain their spots in the starting back-row, while Joe Heyes and Ellis Genge should also remain in the XV this weekend.
George and Coles could also feature alongside Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock in a 6:2 bench.
England predicted line-up in full
Starting XV: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith
