Former England boss Sir Clive Woodward loved something we all missed about Steve Borthwick’s England XV.
Praising Steve Borthwick’s selection, the 2003 World Cup winner wrote in his column for the Mail Online: “I think this could be the best Calcutta Cup ever. I’m very pleased with England’s selection, particularly Ollie Hassell-Collins on the wing.
“Scotland have a fine team too. It all points to a potential classic.
“If I was Borthwick, my message to the players would be the same one I delivered all those years ago — to go out there and get the crowd truly excited by the way they play.
“England need to play with pace and style and go at Scotland. It won’t be easy because Scotland have excellent players — any team that can leave out Hamish Watson and Chris Harris is a strong one. They should have beaten New Zealand in autumn.”
SMITH/FARRELL PARTNERSHIP
Owen Farrell captains the side from inside centre and is joined in the midfield by Joe Marchant. Marcus Smith is at fly-half with Jack van Poortvliet at scrum half.
He added: “I’ve been consistent in my belief that Owen Farrell should be No 10. But I can see why England are going with Marcus Smith at fly-half and Farrell at centre.
“I feel sorry for Farrell because he is a wonderful player who isn’t playing his best position. But England have had lots of midfield injuries with Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly all out and Manu Tuilagi not selected.
“It makes sense for Farrell to play 12.”
SUBTLE CHANGE
During his time in charge, Eddie Jones labeled the players coming off the bench as finishers. However, this has been put in the bin by the new England boss.
Woodward commented: “’m also delighted he ditched the dreaded word ‘finishers’ when announcing his team. That may sound a minor thing but for me it was a significant statement of a new era.
COMPETITION
For a chance to win a pair of tickets to watch England train behind closed doors with World Cup winner, Matt Dawson on February 14th plus a £250 Charles Tyrwhitt gift voucher so you can show your support in style, simply CLICK HERE to register your details.
But hurry, entries close at midnight on Thursday 9th February.
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If prize is not claimed by 3pm 10th February 2023, another winner may be selected at random. Charles Tyrwhitt reserves the right to cancel or terminate this campaign at any time. The tickets and gift voucher will be digitally transferred to the winner prior to the event and subject to following subsequent instructions and are not permitted to be resold. By participating in this contest, you have agreed to accept these terms and conditions.
England vs Scotland teams:
England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (capt), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, B Curry, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.
Scotland: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (capt), Crosbie, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris.
Three players who won’t play for England again under Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
Below, we look at three established stars who are unlikely to win another cap.
#1. Joe Marler
Age: 32
Position: Loosehead-prop
Caps: 83
Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.
The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.
As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.
Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.
At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.
DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees