- Mitchell starts against Italy
- Five uncapped players selected
- George named captain
Alex Mitchell has unexpectedly earned a starting position in England’s XV for Saturday’s match against Italy, following an extraordinary recovery from a leg injury and a fitness test on Thursday morning.
The Northampton scrum-half was initially deemed fit only for a substitute role and was unable to participate in training on Monday and Tuesday after arriving at the England camp with an infected leg wound. However, the 26-year-old has been named to start for England in the Six Nations opener in Rome, with Steve Borthwick also selecting five uncapped players for his matchday 23.
Fraser Dingwall at inside centre and Ethan Roots at blindside flanker are included in the quintet, alongside Chandler Cunningham-South, 20, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Fin Smith as replacements. Since all five can play for other countries, Borthwick is securing their commitment to England based on bench performance.
Strategic Squad Selections and Debuts
George Ford takes the No. 10 jersey, while Fin Smith is designated as a reserve. Borthwick had already lost Marcus Smith to injury earlier in the week. Mitchell’s availability is particularly welcome.
After nine previous England squads without earning his first cap, Dingwall is finally given the chance to make his debut. Roots, who has played for the Maori All Blacks since joining Exeter in the summer, is instantly called up. Given that Roots, Fin Smith, and Dingwall are eligible for the All Blacks and Scotland, respectively, Borthwick has opted to tie them to England, alongside Feyi-Waboso, who could play for Wales, and Cunningham-South (New Zealand).
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Jamie George takes on the captaincy for the first time, with Joe Marler and Will Stuart as the props. Sam Underhill and Ben Earl flank Roots in the back row, and Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum in the second. Ellis Genge, one of the replacements, and Itoje are the vice-captains.
Henry Slade, previously omitted from the World Cup squad, returns to play at outside centre. Tommy Freeman joins Elliot Daly and Freddie Steward in the back three, marking his debut under Borthwick. Danny Care, Theo Dan, Dan Cole, and Alex Coles round out the substitutes.
