Manu Tuiragi has been sacked after manager Steve Borthwick has named a new squad for England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Tuilagi, a 46-cap veteran, was a regular choice for the Red Roses for most of the last decade, but hasn’t even been named to Borthwick’s starting 23-man squad.
Joe Marchant fills in for the 31-year-old in the England line-up, while Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell resume the playmaking axis ahead of Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham.
Wing Ollie Hassel-Collin was handed the first cap in an adjusted midfield after injuries to Elliott Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly heading into Saturday’s game.
Ben Curry will be awarded his first cap against a major opposition following his debut in a crushing victory over the United States almost two years ago.
Follow all the updates when England announced they will face Scotland in the Six Nations opener:
England Six Nations Team Announcement
-
Steve Borthwick picks first England national team
-
England take on Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations opener
-
England veteran Manu Tuiragi expected to be ruled out, Joe Marchant in recall line
The next chapter for British rugby
14:43 , Michael Jones
“Few games on the rugby calendar excite both players and supporters more than Old Enemy’s annual Six Nations meeting for the honor of lifting the Calcutta Cup,” said head coach Steve Borthwick. says.
“Another sold-out Twickenham will witness the start of the next chapter of English rugby in one of the most highly contested tournaments in the world. There is no doubt that
“The players are determined to play with the dedication, fighting and enthusiasm that is at the core of representing England – the kind of passion our amazing supporters have come to expect.”
Sinfield is “happy” with the backline option.
14:40 , Michael Jones
Steve Borthwick’s new defensive coach Kevin Sinfield says he is ‘delighted’ for England’s back-line option despite injuries to Elliott Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly.
“Sometimes the sum of the parts is greater than the whole,” Sinfield said. “To get the right combination, we have a player on our side who can go from 7 out of 10 to 8 out of 10 for him just by being there and being influential.
“Team selection requires more than just what you see. It’s what we feel and what we see 24/7. It’s not just what happens, but the leadership element that really matters.”
England team vs Scotland
14:37 , Michael Jones
Steve Borthwick named his first England starting XV as head coach and, as expected, Manu Tuiragi was ruled out of Round 23.
Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith continue their 10-12 combination in England’s midfield, while Louis Ludlum, Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt make up the new back row.
Joe Marchant is recalled to outside center in front of Tuilagi and Olly Lawrence, while Ollie Chessum will be paired with Maro Itoje on the second row.
England team vs Scotland
14:35 , Michael Jones
XV of England
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 appearances)
14. Max Mullins (Saracens, 14 appearances)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequin, 13 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 Cap) (C)
11. Olly Hassel Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 appearances)
1. Ellis Genji (Bristol Bears, 43 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 72 appearances)
3. Kyle Sinkler, Bristol Bears, 56 appearances
4. Maro Itje (Saracen, 62 appearances)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlum (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
8. Alex Donbrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps)
replacement
16. Jack Walker (Harlequin, no cap)
17. Mako Vnipola (Saracen, 74 appearances)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 appearances)
19. Nick Isikwe (Saracen, 8 starts)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 appearances)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 7 appearances)
23. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 51 appearances)
When are England’s Six Nations games?
14:30 , Michael Jones
Round 1 – Saturday, February 4th
england vs scotland4:45pm, London, Twickenham Stadium (ITV)
Round 2- Sunday, February 12th
England v Italy3pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
Round 3 – Saturday, February 25th
Wales vs England4:45pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (BBC & S4C)
Round 4 – Saturday, March 11th
England v France4:45pm, Twickenham, London (ITV & BBC)
Round 5 – Saturday, March 18th
ireland v england5pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (ITV)
Tuilagi misses England squad
14:25 , Michael Jones
Manu Tuiragi is expected to be left out of Steve Borthwick’s England squad for Saturday’s match against Scotland at Twickenham.
Since making his debut in 2011, the 31-year-old Tuilagi has been a regular under every England manager and is expected to sit out despite remaining in a 29-man squad.
Instead, Joe Marchant is reported to be included, giving England pace and dynamism, but without the power of Tuiragi.
How to watch England vs Scotland
14:20 , Michael Jones
England will face Scotland at Twickenham in the Calcutta Cup on Saturday 4 February, kicking off at 4:45pm.
The match will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX from 4pm.
Gregor Townsend explains why he turned down Ali Price
14:15 , Michael Jones
Gregor Townsend has backed Ali Price to come back strong after being dropped from the Scottish Rugby 23 for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with England.
The 29-year-old scrum-half has won 58 caps since his debut in 2016 and has been a mainstay throughout the head coach’s five-and-a-half-year reign.
However, Price has struggled with his form in Glasgow this season, losing the No. 9 jersey to London Irishman Ben White in this weekend’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham.
Gregor Townsend explains why he turned down Ali Price
Scotland and England face off in Six Nations opener
14:10 , Michael Jones
Xander Fegerson is not considered ready to field his 23-man squad for Scotland’s Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.
The Glasgow prop has been sidelined since the beginning of December with a hamstring injury, but forward coach John Dalziel said on Tuesday that he was in contention “for the shape of his life” for the Calcutta Cup showdown. Said there was
But head coach Gregor Townsend will give the 2021 British & Irish Lions member more time to speed up as he is not included in his side for this weekend’s game at Twickenham. I chose to
Scotland and England face off in Six Nations opener
Who is currently in England’s 29-man squad?
14:05 , Michael Jones
forward:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps), Ben Curry (sail shark, 1 cap), Alex Donbrandt (Harlequin, 9 caps), Tom Dunn (bath rugby, 3 caps), Ben Earl (Saracen, 13 caps), Eris Genji (Bristol Bears, 43 Caps), Jamie George (Saracen, 72 caps), Nick Isikwe (Saracen, 8 caps), Itoemaro (Saracen, 62 caps), Lewis Ludlum (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), David Ribbins (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Sam Simmons (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps), Kyle Sinkler (Bristol Bears, 56 Caps), Mako Vnipola (Saracen, 74 caps), jack walker (Harlequin, no cap).
back:
Owen Farrell (Saracen, 101 cap), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Olly Hassel Collins (London Irish, no cap), Olly Lawrence (Bath rugby, 7 appearances), Max Mullins (Saracen, 14 caps), Joe Merchant (Harlequin, 13 caps), Finn Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Marcus Smith (Harlequin, 17 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps), Manu Tuiragi (sold sharks, 50 caps), Jack Van Portvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps), Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps).
When will the England squad be announced?
14:00 , Michael Jones
New England head coach Steve Borthwick plans to reduce the current 29-man squad to Thursday afternoon’s Matchday 23.
The England squad will be released at 2:45pm.
England’s Six Nations squad announced
12:49 , Michael Jones
England’s new men’s rugby head coach, Steve Borthwick, is set to announce the first squad for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Borthwick have 29 players and need to narrow it down to 23 for the match scheduled to be announced at 2:45pm today.
Some early rumors have leaked through the cracks, suggesting that Joe Marchant could face a recall, while England veteran Manu Tuiragi is expected to be ruled out.
Scotland have won both of their final two matches in the fixture, while England have won just one of their last five Six Nations games.
Will Borthwick’s team be able to turn their poor form around?
