New Zealand-born forward starts for England as five new caps named to face Italy in Six Nations opener

Adam Kyriacou
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Ethan Roots at an England training session.

Ethan Roots at an England training session.

England have named two uncapped players in their starting line-up for their Six Nations opener against Italy, as Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall get the nod.

New skipper Jamie George leads the Red Rose at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this Saturday and is joined in the front-row by the experienced Joe Marler and Will Stuart.

At lock, vice-captain Maro Itoje partners Ollie Chessum while debutant Roots is blindside flank, Sam Underhill is openside, and Ben Earl wears the eight jersey.

Alex Mitchell fit

Concerns over Alex Mitchell’s fitness have been allayed as he starts at scrum-half alongside George Ford, who gets the nod over youngster Fin Smith at fly-half.

The midfield sees Northampton Saints player Dingwall named at inside centre on his first cap, and he’s joined by the returning Henry Slade, who starts at outside centre.

In the back three, Elliot Daly starts on the left wing, with Tommy Freeman on the right and Freddie Steward picked at full-back to complete the England starting line-up.

As well as Roots and Dingwall, potential new caps make the bench in the form of Chandler Cunningham-South, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Northampton’s Smith.

The back-row, wing and fly-half take their places alongside forwards Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole and Alex Coles and scrum-half Danny Care as the replacements.

“After an excellent week’s preparation in Girona, we look forward to the challenge of playing Italy in Rome,” said coach Steve Borthwick ahead of their Six Nations clash.

“The Azzurri are a dangerous team, with some talented ball carriers and players who like to find space.

“We’ll need to make good decisions, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity to our performance from the first whistle to the last.”

Commenting on the selection of England‘s five uncapped players, boss Borthwick added: “Winning a first cap for your country is always a very special occasion.

“We’re delighted for the debutants who have all worked incredibly hard to get themselves selected in the 23 to face Italy. I know Saturday will be a very proud moment for the players and their families.

“My message to them this week has been to be themselves, to grasp their opportunity, and to play with the strengths and skills that deservedly got them selected to a strong Six Nations squad.”

England team

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Danny Care, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Date: Saturday, February 3
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15:15 local (14:15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

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