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

Yesterday at 03:07 PM

Ireland turned on the style in the second half to kick off their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title with a statement win over England in Dublin.

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Steve Borthwick's side had looked up for the fight early on, with debutant Cadan Murley crossing to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead. However, once Ireland hit their stride, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Jamison Gibson-Park's first-half try kept the defending champions in the contest, but after the break, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan powered over to seal a dominant bonus-point victory for Simon Easterby in his first game as interim head coach.

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

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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