England predicted team v France: Steve Borthwick to ‘play it safe’ for Le Crunch but ‘stroke of genius’ could lead to ‘inspired change’

Louis Chapman Coombe
A three pannell image of Steve Borthwick, Tom Willis and Tom Roebuck

From left to right: Steve Borthwick, Tom Willis, Tom Roebuck

England come into Le Crunch in a difficult spot, after letting yet another lead slip in the second-half in their 27-22 defeat to Ireland. 

It was a familiar tale of woe for Steve Borthwick. His side looked right in control of the game in the opening 40 minutes, but more defensive lapses and just basic fundamental errors allowed Ireland to rack up 22 unanswered points and eventually take the win.

Heading into this round two fixture, there is already one change confirmed as Cadan Murley is ruled out of the clash through injury; but will the England boss be tempted to make a few more changes as well to get that elusive victory over a fellow Tier One nation?

Well, with that thought in mind, here is our prediction for how England will line-up this weekend against France.

15 Freddie Steward

Retaining his place at 15 this weekend should be Freddie Steward, who had a pretty solid outing at the Aviva last time out. France’s kicking game will likely look to put England under pressure, so his aerial ability will be a crucial weapon in nipping this in the bud.

14 Tommy Freeman

Northampton’s Tommy Freeman has cemented his spot in Borthwick’s side in the past year, and he should once again start against France. Again, his skills in the air will be pivotal if England want to neutralise the French kicking game, but his carrying could also be a great weapon to drag them through the gainline.

13 Ollie Lawrence

Set a standard for himself against Ireland, but if he plays like that again he could inspire a win. France’s midfield combination is a new one – albeit with good players – and Lawrence should be licking his lips at the prospect of charging through it.

12 Henry Slade

Borthwick would have been pleased with his first-half showing, and that should keep him in the starting line-up. Needs a big game though to fend off Fraser Dingwall.

11 Tom Roebuck

A straight swap on the wing, with Tom Roebuck coming in for Murley on the wing. The Sale flyer excelled against Japan in the autumn and would likely do an even better job in the starting XV too. Crucially, his work in the air and around the park would really complement Freeman.

England star suffers cruel injury blow ahead of France Test

10 Marcus Smith

You’d imagine Borthwick will play it safe and keep Marcus Smith at 10, even with the growing noise to select Fin Smith here and push the Quins man to 15. M. Smith was at the heart of England’s fast start at the Aviva, and once again proved a serious threat both in the carry and in playmaking, but yet he still is yet to drag his side over the line.

9 Alex Mitchell

Whilst it wasn’t his best showing in an England shirt against Ireland, the increased tempo he brought to the attack should see him retain the starting jersey. He is forming a nice combination with Marcus Smith in the halves too, which again fuels that attacking change Borthwick wants to see.

8 Tom Willis

A big call here, but big bopper Tom Willis would be an inspired change by Borthwick at eight. Whilst he was thrown in at a tough period of the game against Ireland, his exceptional ball-carrying was still on full display and that could be a massive weapon against a mighty French pack. England are desperate for a player like him, so it could be a stroke of genius to draft him in.

7 Tom Curry

After a spellbinding display against Ireland, Tom Curry will likely be the sole survivor from last weekend’s starting back-row. Curry just ran his blood to water in the loss, and that work ethic will once again be needed if they want to win the battle up front.

England great who ‘rarely criticises officials’ takes aim at referee and Maro Itoje over Caelan Doris tackle which ‘needed questioning’

6 Chandler Cunningham-South

Potentially harsh to drop Ben Curry, considering he had a pretty decent game last weekend, but Chandler Cunningham-South just adds that extra ball-carrier that will be crucial against France. The Harlequins man is still returning to his best form after a tricky spell, but there is no doubting he is a serious player when at his best and Le Crunch could be just the ticket to get him back to those levels. He also adds some extra height in the lineout, which was sorely missed against Ireland.

5 George Martin

Leicester lock George Martin needs a big game if he wants to keep his spot in the side, but you feel the challenge of France could get the best out of him. His defensive exploits, particularly in the tight, could be just the thing England need to restrict the monstrous French pack.

4 Maro Itoje

The new skipper will almost certainly keep his place in the team, not just because of the role but because he was by far one of England’s best performers in Dublin. He just oozed class against Ireland and will need to hit those heights once more if they want to turn the tide.

3 Will Stuart

Looks to have finally made that number three shirt his own now, and you’d imagine he will once again start against France. His scrummaging will be tested, for sure, but Will Stuart has seriously improved in this department and will likely give as good as he gets.

2 Jamie George

You’d imagine he has come back into the squad quicker than expected for a reason, and that could be to start against France. Jamie George will just sure up the set-piece if he returns, and crucially will add another experienced leader to the side, which could be what was missing against Ireland.

1 Ellis Genge

Rounding off our starting XV is Bristol’s Ellis Genge, who should retain his shirt after a strong outing in the Irish capital last weekend. Whilst he might not have got the reward he deserved, he dominated his scrum battle with Finlay Bealham and will need to do the same this weekend against Uini Atonio too. He is also a formidable ball-carrier around the park, which again will be needed if England want to get the upper hand up front.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Ben Earl 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith

Borthwick will likely go for a 6:2 split once again, but it could look a bit different this time around. Luke Cowan-Dickie could return to the bench if George starts, with Theo Dan missing out, Bevan Rodd’s scrummaging could be a neat trick to add to the bench, Ben’s Curry and Earl could bring some serious smash-and-bash from the bench and Ben Spencer could come in for Harry Randall.

READ NEXT: Eddie Jones: ‘Histrionics’ shows lack of ’emotional consistency’ as Six Nations highlights ‘new tiers’ in Test rugby