England predicted team v France: Steve Borthwick to test out ‘different style’ with ‘nothing but pride’ on the line

Ahead of England’s final Six Nations Test against France, here is how we think Steve Borthwick’s side will line up at the Stade de France, Paris.

Ahead of the Six Nations, this was viewed as a Grand Slam decider between the two favourites, with Borthwick himself building up the hype at his squad announcement press conference, but now it’s nothing but pride on the line for the visitors.

England slumped to their third successive defeat of the Championship last weekend against Italy, which served as their first-ever loss to the Azzurri in the 33 years since their first meeting, and a defeat this weekend against France would hand Borthwick’s side their worst-ever Six Nations finish.

With virtually nothing at stake for England, it does give Borthwick a unique opportunity to come out and try a different style. It’s clear that the kicking game is not working as designed, whichever fly-half is running the show, and there appears to be some level of disconnect between the side as well.

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The head coach has already shown he is not afraid to make changes, either, making a combined 15 to his starting XV alone across the three defeats, but could he make more this time around?

One almost certain switch will come in the back-row, though, with Tom Curry expected to miss the trip to Paris with a calf issue.

England are yet to announce any further changes to their initial training squad, though, with Borthwick’s extended group remaining on the European mainland after that defeat to Rome.

Further backline changes?

There could again be a couple of changes made to the backline, as England look to kickstart their attack. George Furbank seems the leading option to come in at full-back, given his ability to act as that second link player in the attack but is also rock solid under the high ball. Crucially, he does have some decent minutes under his belt again after being sent back to play in the PREM Cup, and his inclusion in the squad last time out suggests he was close to making his comeback against Italy.

Cadan Murley emerged from the ashes of that Rome defeat with good credit after a pretty solid performance, and seemed to add that little spark England had lacked ball-in-hand and on the kick-chase, and should therefore keep his spot.

Should England want a left-footed kicker, then that could open the door for Henry Slade to come back into the side at 13. The Exeter man has enjoyed a fine season with the Chiefs, spearheading their rise back up the PREM table and featuring well in the PREM Cup too, and also brings a level of experience Borthwick will be after. His return into midfield could then see Tommy Freeman revert back out to the wing.

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Inside centre is a tough call, given neither Fraser Dingwall or Seb Atkinson have grasped the shirt. This could have been another opportunity for Max Ojomoh to come in, but at the time of writing, he is not with the wider squad. In that ilk, it seems Atkinson will retain his shirt, given he can add that little bit of extra punch in midfield that will make up for the loss of Freeman back to the wing, but he will need a big performance to keep the jersey.

The half-back combination of Ben Spencer and Fin Smith will likely remain in place as well, but they too will be after an improved display in Paris, while Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith should once again be the back options on the 6:2 bench.

What to do up front?

The aforementioned injury to Curry gives Borthwick a real chance to toy around with his back-row balance, which has been a real issue this Six Nations.

Sam Underhill does seem the more likely option to come into the starting group, as he did in Rome, which will add some ballast to the defence. Elsewhere, that opens the door for Chandler Cunningham-South to come onto the bench as he did at the weekend, with the Quins powerhouse acting as that extra carrier in the tight that England are so desperate for.

Elsewhere, Ben Earl and Guy Pepper will likely remain in the starting line-up, with Henry Pollock expected on the bench after his strong yet short cameo in Rome.

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The lock duo of Alex Coles and Maro Itoje should also keep their spots in the starting line-up, despite the positive impact Ollie Chessum had in the lineout, but that also keeps the Leicester Tigers forward open to switching into the back-row if needed from the bench.

England’s scrum enjoyed decent success against their Italian counterparts, and that should see Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes retained at prop, while Jamie George’s heroic effort in a losing cause will keep him in the starting group. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison should also remain as the front-row replacements this weekend.

England predicted line-up in full

Starting XV: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith

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