"Drop Earl" – Will Greenwood tells Steve Borthwick to make decisive England change

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Former England centre Will Greenwood has called for Steve Borthwick to drop Ben Earl to the bench for next weekend's Six Nations showdown against France, backing Tom Willis to start at No. 8 instead.

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Ireland ran in three second-half tries to launch their bid for a third successive Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory over England in Dublin. Steve Borthwick's men had started brightly, with debutant Cadan Murley crossing early to give them a deserved half-time lead.

However, a well-worked Jamison Gibson-Park score in the first half was followed by second-half tries from Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, and returning hooker Dan Sheehan, sealing a comfortable win for Simon Easterby in his first game as Ireland's interim head coach.

The defeat marks England's sixth loss in seven matches under Borthwick, with new captain Maro Itoje unable to prevent another frustrating result.

Greenwood backs Willis over Earl

Writing in The Telegraph, Greenwood insisted that Willis should be handed the starting No. 8 jersey against France, with Earl instead used as an impact sub.

"As a northerner myself, I'll back the northern lads to continue at flanker and have Ben Earl as the super sub off the bench," Greenwood wrote. "In Willis, I think we have a Doris."

Looking ahead to England's remaining fixtures, Greenwood believes the tournament's success will come down to the Calcutta Cup against Scotland.

"Next week, any sane rugby player or pundit has to predict a France victory," he added. "But that tells us where we are as England fans. If England win the Calcutta Cup – with Italy and Wales to follow – then that will change the whole narrative around them."

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Four players England should drop – and who Steve Borthwick should replace them with

For England, it's a sixth defeat in seven matches under Borthwick and a baptism of fire for Maro Itoje in his first game since replacing Jamie George as captain.

With a crucial clash against France at the Allianz Stadium up next, here are four changes Borthwick must consider.

#1. Freddie Steward

Telegraph 4/10: “His worst nightmare of facing a scrum half in open space recurred as Gibson-Park did him dirty as badly as Grant Williams had. England need more than a safety blanket at full back.”

Replacement: George Hendy

#2. Cadan Murley

Planet Rugby 4/10: “Had a great moment early on when he scored a debut try but a bit rabbit in the headlights after that. Made a couple of errors no Test player should ever really make, quite frankly. Murley should be backed next weekend as you can see the talent and potential, but it was a big learning curve in Dublin”

Guardian 5/10: “Quickly snaffled a try on debut, but later invited pressure on teammates twice with a serious lack of composure in defence.”

Telegraph 4/10: “After what set to be a dream debut, scoring a try after eight minutes, Ireland turned his life into a nightmare, forcing into some horrible naive errors.”

Evening Standard 5/10: “Got off to a flyer on his debut by scoring inside the opening 10 minutes. Had a tough second half, though, and was shaky on kick defence. Did assist Curry's try.”

Replacement: Tom Roebuck

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