Manu Tuilagi has been dropped by Steve Borthwick as the pinnacle coach named a revamped aspect for England’s Six Nations opener in opposition to Scotland.
Tuilagi, a veteran of 50 caps, a daily alternative for the Pink Rose for a lot of the previous decade and one of many favorites of earlier coach Eddie Jones, has not even been named in Borthwick’s first 23-man squad.
Joe Marchant takes the 31-year-old’s place within the England line-up, with Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell to renew their play-making axis for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup conflict at Twickenham.
Wing Ollie Hassell-Collins has been handed his first cap in a rejigged midfield following accidents to Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly within the build-up.
Ben Curry will likely be awarded his first cap in opposition to main opposition following his debut in an underwhelming victory over the USA practically two years in the past.
Lewis Ludlam joins Curry as the opposite flanker, with Alex Dombrandt at No.8, whereas Jamie George begins at hooker after overcoming concussion sustained in Saracens’ defeat by Edinburgh on January 22.
Borthwick stated: “There are few fixtures within the rugby calendar that excite each gamers and supporters alike greater than the annual Six Nations assembly of the Auld Enemy as they battle for the distinction of lifting the Calcutta Cup.
“One other packed Twickenham will witness the beginning of the subsequent chapter of English rugby in one of the keenly contested tournaments on this planet. There isn’t any doubt that this England group shares the supporters’ sense of keen anticipation.
“To a person, the gamers are decided to play with the dedication, battle and want that’s on the very coronary heart of representing England, the form of ardour that our large supporters rightly anticipate.
“The England group that may play this weekend in opposition to Scotland has nice skilled gamers and it additionally has thrilling younger expertise and new combos that may praise that have.
“The gamers are decided to symbolize their nation with the battle that our supporters deserve and anticipate.
“There are lots of gamers who’ve been combating for an England alternative for a time frame and now they have their alternative.”
On Tuilagi’s omission, Borthwick added: “I’m selecting the group for this week and there’s competitors for locations. There needs to be good gamers not within the 23 as a result of we wish depth in each place.”
England group: Steward (Leicester); Malins (Saracens), Marchant (Harlequins), Farrell (Saracens, capt), Hassell-Collins (London Irish); Smith (Harlequins), Van Poortvliet (Leicester); Genge (Bristol), George (Saracens), Sinckler (Bristol), Itoje (Saracens), Chessum (Leicester), Ludlam (Northampton), Curry (Sale), Dombrandt (Harlequins).
Replacements: Walker (Harlequins), Vunipola (Saracens), Cole (Leicester), Isiekwe (Saracens), Earl (Saracens), Youngs (Leicester), Lawrence (Tub), Watson (Leicester).
