Get ready for a major shake-up in England's rugby team as they prepare for their Six Nations clash against Italy! A bold move is on the cards, and it's got everyone talking.
Steve Borthwick, the England coach, is planning an unprecedented overhaul of his entire back line for the upcoming match. After a disappointing 42-21 loss to Ireland, Borthwick is ready to make some tough decisions.
But here's where it gets controversial... Borthwick is set to change every position in the back line, a move that has never been done before during a Six Nations campaign. It's a brutal cull, but a necessary one, as England aims to turn their fortunes around.
Let's break it down. Tommy Freeman, the only survivor from the starting back line against Ireland, will move from the wing to outside centre due to Ollie Lawrence's knee injury. Ben Spencer is lined up to start at No9, with a new playmaking duo of Fin Smith and Seb Atkinson outside him. This pair has never played together for England's senior team, but they have a unique connection as former Worcester Warriors teammates.
George Ford, who has been a regular starter at fly half, is expected to be dropped, along with Northampton Saints' Fraser Dingwall. Fin Smith, despite missing a training session due to illness, is still fit for the match.
In the back three, Freddie Steward is likely to be dropped, with Marcus Smith, Elliot Daly, and George Furbank competing for the full-back position. Borthwick is considering a late switch to Daly at No15 to bring more experience and long-range kicking power to the team.
Cadan Murley of Harlequins is ready to take one wing, with Tom Roebuck returning on the other. Ben Earl, the back-row forward, will earn his 50th England cap on Saturday and has revealed that the team has had some tough conversations about their recent performances.
"There's been some challenge from within the group," Earl said. "We've stripped it bare and acknowledged that some of us haven't pulled our weight or performed to the best of our abilities. It's a learning curve, and we hope to use these experiences to fuel our future performances."
Ollie Chessum, the lock, missed training on Monday but could still be deployed as a substitute.
This massive overhaul is a marked departure from Borthwick's usual tactics, and it's a bold statement about the team's commitment to improvement. According to statistics, England has never made more than four changes to their back line between Six Nations matches, so this is a significant shift.
And this is the part most people miss... The only other time Borthwick made such drastic changes was during the 2023 World Cup in France, where he refreshed the entire back line between matches. It's a strategy that has worked for him before, and he's hoping it will pay off again.
England is in a tough spot, having lost back-to-back games and facing the challenge of finishing in the top half of the table. The team has been soul-searching, seeking inspiration from the 2003 World Cup winners, skills coach Kevin Sinfield, and even a visit from skeleton gold medalist Matt Weston.
"The boys are really taking on board these experiences and stories," Earl said. "We've been the favorites in the last three games and haven't delivered, so we're looking to change that narrative."
England faces a crucial two weeks, with Italy in Rome this Saturday and France in Paris on Super Saturday. Earl believes this Italian team is the best they'll ever face, but he's confident a response is coming.
"You're talking about a world-class team here. The Italian squad has some incredible players, and we know we're up against it. But I sense a determination in our squad, and I think we're going to see a reaction on Saturday."
Will England's bold strategy pay off? Only time will tell. What do you think? Should Borthwick shake things up this drastically? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
