England Team We Would Like To See Face Italy After Twickenham Collapse
England Team We Would Like To See Face Italy After Twickenham Collapse
England Grand Slam hopes are over but Steve Borthwick faces defining selection calls against Italy that could shape the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Grand Slam gone, title gone but hope is far from gone for Steve Borthwick’s England in the grand scheme of developing towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Starting with the bad, Borthwick has been brutally out coached in back-to-back weeks. That is cold hard truth. From selection to tactics, England have been found out just weeks removed from openly talking about a Grand Slam showdown with France in Paris on the final weekend.
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From a neutral standpoint, this might just have been the best thing for England long term. Finding out which of their squad are capable of dealing with adversity and which are not.
Against both Ireland and Scotland, two teams who many in the English press felt were going to fall into ‘Tier Two’ of the Six Nations behind France and England. Borthwick’s side could not shift to a plan B when their rivals not only took them on in the air but dominated them there. Frailties in the wide channel were brutally exposed in both matches as was England’s breakdown and mixed ability at lineout time.
Now set for a do-or-die clash with a vastly improved Italian side who themselves will be chasing a historic first win over England. We feel it is time for Borthwick to shake things up a touch.
Here is the England team we would like to see take on Italy in Rome.
1. Ellis Genge
Routinely England’s best performer in the pack, the Bristol loosehead remains in situ against what has become arguably the most fearsome scrum in the Six Nations. Away from the set-piece, Genge offers dynamism than none of the other options do which will be crucial if Borthwick’s side are to rediscover their form.
2. Jamie George
Getting the nod to start once again, George brings a calm demeanour in the most chaotic of situations. Mix in his solidity at set-piece time and the Saracens veteran will be central to negating Italy’s biggest weapon.
3. Trevor Davison
Making the jump into the starting line-up, the experienced tighthead will likely be tasked with getting to grips with his clubmate Danilo Fischetti. Knowing the Italian’s tricks and tendencies could be crucial when the pressure comes on.
4. Maro Itoje
Put in a brutally challenging position with the passing of his mother prior to round one. Despite the off-field challenges, Itoje remains the key leader in this England side and his calming influence and experience will be crucial against an Italian side chasing history.
5. Ollie Chessum
Continuing in the starting line-up, the Lions’ lock brings elite physicality to the secondrow. His scrummaging prowess and ability in the air make him too valuable to move out of the starting line-up.
6. Alex Coles
One key area where Ireland blitzed England was at lineout time. In bringing in the Saints utility forward, England not only add another key jumper but extra grunt to the pack for scrum time. Around the park, Coles is incredibly mobile for a player of his stature and will be immensely effective in negating Italy’s backrow of poachers.
7. Guy Pepper
Shifting back to his preferred position of openside, Pepper will ensure that England don’t miss a beat at the breakdown. Additionally, he is a solid jumper which again just shores up an area of concern.
8. Ben Earl
England’s most explosive ball carrier will be crucial at getting away from the base of the scrum given the potential for England to not get their usual dominance. Around the park, Earl is routinely his side’s top carrier and tackler which makes him undroppable.
9. Jack van Poortvliet
Given Alex Mitchell’s injury, at this stage we are shifting the Tiger into the starting line-up. In terms of a like-for-like, England don’t really have a direct swap for Mitchell but in van Poortvliet they have a rock solid box kicker and a player who has shown his ability to snipe around the ruck.
10. Fin Smith
Back in the driving seat having ended 2024 as the first choice, Smith has been unable to get back into pole position since the Lions tour. There is no doubting George Ford’s quality, but England need to get more minutes into the player who many believe to be their future. Mix in Smith’s ability to challenge the line and the England attack could have an added dimension in Rome.
11. Cadan Murley
Crying out for an opportunity following what have been underwhelming outings for Bath flyer Henry Arundell. Scoring three tries in his four tests to date, Murley has proven his aptitude for this level when given a chance. Physically, the Harlequin is exceptional under the high ball and brings plenty of bite in the contact area.
12. Max Ojomoh
Arguably the most in-form centre in English Rugby, Bath’s Max Ojomoh offers a distribution skillset unlike any other English 12s. Against Argentina in November, Ojomoh was world class and would bring a second playmaking option to the England backline.
13. Ollie Lawrence
Despite mixed reviews against Ireland, there is no doubting that Lawrence was England’s most effective ball carrier. Making yards into what was an otherwise resolute Irish defence, Lawrence remains locked in alongside his clubmate. This club connection will be crucial against what is arguably the best centre combination in test rugby in Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex (should he be available).
14. Tommy Freeman
Not quite at his best through the opening three rounds, the Northampton flyer looked to be out of sorts in both rounds. Against Scotland, Finn Russell exposed his inexperience at 13 whilst against Ireland, the Irish back three went after him aerially. However, the old adage of form is temporary, and class is permanent is relevant here. Freeman has been on fire for Northampton and with a few tweaks to the gameplan to get him more involved, there is little doubt he could light up the Italian defence.
15. George Furbank
Getting a crack back in the jersey he lost due to a run of injuries. Across the board, the Saints veteran is England’s best fullback option. Providing aerially stability, pace, playmaking ability and defensive solidity, there are few chinks in his armour. Playing against an Italian back three that have ruled the skies through the opening stages of the Championship will be a challenge but one he will relish.
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan
England need more punch from their bench and no hooker in England packs more dynamism in the carry and tackle than the Saracens powerhouse.
17. Bevan Rodd
Rock solid in his cameos thus far, the Sale Shark is a nice safety blank should things go pear shaped at scrum time as an option to change the picture.
18. Joe Heyes
Rotated more than dropped, Heyes has been exceptional for England and could be an invaluable impact option to up the ante at set piece and around the park.
19. Arthur Clark
Perhaps a left field option but taking into account how crucial the scrum battle will be. The 126kg Gloucester lock could be just the anchor England need to get on top through the second half.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South
England need versatility and in the Quins giant, they not only have both the backrow and secondrow covered but they have a player built to dominate late game action. Bringing punch in the carry and tackle, this would be the perfect opportunity for Cunningham-South to remind Borthwick of what he brings to the table.
21. Henry Pollock
We toyed with keeping him in the starting line-up but his impact from the bench at this stage in his career is immense. Being able to launch Pollock alongside Cunningham-South would give England two energising forces in the final 25/30 minutes.
22. Ben Spencer
Similar to Pollock, an argument can be made for Spencer to start but his game management late on could be crucial in what should be a tight contest.
23. Henry Slade
Had we not opted for a club combination, starting the Chiefs veteran was a real option for us in the midfield. However, his ability to cover, flyhalf, centre and fullback is invaluable with the 6-2 split. Whilst this may be harsh of Marcus Smith, Slade’s experience and tactical kicking ability is a huge weapon to have in reserve.
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