Three big changes made for the England team to play Italy – 2025 Six Nations
Yesterday at 12:41 PM
England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad, to take on Italy in the fourth round of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Three changes have been made to the team that started out against Scotland, with Marcus Smith, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie all out of the starting line-up.
Find your local Greene King and settle in to the Six Nations!
Steve Borthwick has addressed these changes, with Northampton Saints centre Fraser Dingwall set for his first taste of action in the tournament. Also, Jamie George gets the nod to start upon a momentous milestone, as the hooker gets ready to run out for his 100th England cap this Sunday. Wrapping up the trio of alterations is the decision to start Elliot Daly over Marcus Smith at fullback, with no space in the starting team for Harlequins danger-man.
1. Steve Borthwick wants to unleash Marcus Smith against tired Italian defenders
The England head coach has explained his decision to drop Marcus Smith from the starting team, with the masterplan set to hatch in the latter stages. There is no denying the elevation in tempo that the Harlequin brings to the attacking fury, with Borthwick excited to see Smith tear up the turf against the tired Italians.
STEVE BORTHWICK: "Firstly, I think it’s a brilliant position to be in to have such high quality players. I think you’ll have seen the impact Elliot Daly has had off the bench in recent games.
"It’s been significant and I’m looking forward to seeing Marcus Smith enter the game against tiring defenders. Space, I think he’ll be looking forward to that.”
2. Fraser Dingwall starts at centre with Henry Slade out the squad
The latest reports from England’s training base in Bagshot, are that Henry Slade has taken minimal part in training this week. This follows on from how the Exeter Chiefs man had a reduced involvement during England’s open training session up in York, which caused the reporting media and fans in attendance to speculate upon the centre’s match fitness.
Sure enough, Fraser Dingwall has replaced Slade, with the Northampton man adding to a near ‘All-Saints’ back line with Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman.
STEVE BORTHWICK: "I think you’ve seen over a long period of time now, and I’ve spoken with you about it, is that consistency selection. I think Slade and Ollie Lawrence have done so many things very, very well and have built a partnership.
"I’m also trying to ensure we build combinations and depth there. I think Fraser clearly has a relationship established with Fin Smith. I think over this training period, he’s worked really hard with Ollie Lawrence as well. So I’m excited to see Fraser go. He’s been such a consistent, high-level performer in the Premiership. He played well for us at the start of last year and has been working hard for an opportunity.”
"I’d say to all the players that they’re selected because I think they’re really high quality players and each of them has got a point of difference.
"I want to bring that one to the pitch. Fraser’s a really smart player. He’s a really intelligent rugby player. I think he makes other players around him play better because of his presence. That’s the type of player he is. He does a lot of that unseen work. That’s what I’m asking him to do this weekend in England."
3. Jamie George celebrates 100th England cap with first start of 2025 Six Nations
It will be a moment to savour for Jamie George, when the hooker run’s out from the start for his 100th England cap. The milestone has been recognised with his return to the starting XV, after George missed the opening round defeat to Ireland with an injury, and had to settle for involvements off the bench against France and Scotland.
STEVE BORTHWICK: "I think Jamie continues to be a phenomenal player for English rugby. It’s been such a long time. And I think you’ve seen the way he has impacted the games in the second half. In the last two games, he’s been terrific. And now I’m asking him to do that right from the very start of the game."
EDITORS PICKS:
- Marcus Smith benched' – Makers and Breakers: England team to play Italy in Six Nations
- England team to play Italy: 2025 Six Nations
- Jamie George: England hooker set for 100th Test cap talks his Lions tour and World Cup hopes
- "That hurt" – Jamie George opens up on losing England captaincy
QUIZ: Can You Name EVERY Player in England’s 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam Squad?
England last won the Six Nations Grand Slam back in 2016, in what was Eddie Jones’ first Championship in charge. Taking over from Stuart Lancaster, Jones appointed a new captain to his side, in what was the start of a record equalising 18-test match winning streak.
Jones named a 33-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations, and we’ve laid out the challenge for you to name each and every one of the players. Due to the extra toughness of this one, we’ve given a slightly longer time limit for you to rattle off the answers.
Your time starts… now!
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