England defence coach Kevin Sinfield has provided an update on the squad, with the heavy artillery possibly set for a return to the midfield. There is great speculation as to whether the returning Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence will feature against Scotland, and disrupt the centre partnership that has been formed between Henry Slade and Fraser Dingwall.
Sinfield was asked in an England media session, about what the duo would bring to the squad, and there chances of selection for the journey up to Murrayfield. Understandably, Sinfield discussed how head coach Steve Borthwick will have the final say, and praised the England squad for having such competitive depth in the centres.
“Probably more one for Steve that, but the obvious answer to both Ollie and Manu is that they bring power, don’t they? When you look across the centre partnerships that we’ve run so far in Fraser and Sladey, bit more ball movement, and probably a bit more finesse at the line.
“But what those two bring, they will kick the door down, and they certainly bring that. So it’s trying to find the right balance for us this week. And the four centres we’ve mentioned there, Ollie and Manu haven’t been in with us that long, but we know them pretty well from the World Cup, and what they’ve done previously.
“And then the experience of Sladey, Fraser’s ball skills and management in and around that midfield has been really important to us too. So we’ve got a real healthy competition.
“And you throw in young Max Ojomoh there who’s been going great as well, it’s looking pretty healthy there when it was an area where we’ve probably been a bit skinny.”
Sinfield then cast his attention to the vacancy at scrum half, following Alex Mitchell’s untimely knee injury has ruled him out of the squad. Bristol’s Harry Randall has been called into the wider squad, but finds himself in the England A squad to take on Portugal this Sunday in Leicester. The front-runner for the nine jersey is veteran scrum half Danny Care, with Bath halfback Ben Spencer waiting in the wings.
Speaking on Mitchell’s ongoing rehab and the options at scrum half, Sinfield was unsure as to whether the scrum half will return for the latter stages of the Six Nations. Sinfield said;
“He’s (Mitchell) with the specialist this afternoon so we’ll know more then.I know that doesn’t help you guys because you’re right this, but that’s the information I’ve got. He’s had a scan but until he’s seen the specialist we don’t know.
“Harry Randall has been in with us as well. DC (Danny Care) who I have worked with during the World Cup and I knew of him from his early days at Leeds, I think he’s had an outstanding career. He dully deserves, he’s 98 caps at the minute he could be a centurion. He’s been outstanding. He’s had a great career and I’ve loved working with him.He’s performed a crucial role for us so far by coming off the bench and attacking.
“Spenny (Ben Spencer) has had a really good year with Bath. It’s been a number of years since he’s been in the England environment but he’s been very very good in training.He’s competed and if gets his opportunity we know he will take it. He’ll have our full support and backing because he’s been outstanding in training.”
As Sinfield discussed, Care is closing in on the century of England caps and could well be on his way to triple digits as the 2024 Six Nations comes to a close. Speaking on the Harlequin’s longevity, Sinfield added;
“He looks after himself really well. To still be playing at 37, you’ve got to be doing that early in your career. We all know the type of professional he is. And then experience. I don’t think you can measure how valuable experience is because it gives confidence belief and trust into those in and around him.
“He’s had an outstanding career and he’s really good around the group because of his personality. He’s always got a smile on his face. He’s a typical scrum-half, but has got a really nice way about him within the group. He understands people really well and he gets the best out of those around him. It would be awesome if he can get to 100.”
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Brian Moore tells Steve Borthwick to make FOUR changes to his England XV for Scotland clash
Brian Moore has called on head coach Steve Borthwick to make four changes for the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Murrayfield this Saturday.
Strong scrum:
He wrote: “I would consider picking England’s strongest scrummaging front row of Joe Marler, Jamie George and Dan Cole.
“It is not that Will Stuart has underperformed at tighthead, but if England have a chance of getting on top in this important set-piece, better that they do it early and, as they now always say, paint the right picture for Andrew Brace, the referee.”
Read his full column for The Telegraph here.
Brian Moore’s England team to play Scotland
15. Freddie Steward
14. Tommy Freemand
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi for Fraser Dingwall
11. Elliot Daly