Published On: Tue, Feb 18th, 2025
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England team leaked as Steve Borthwick makes one change to face Scotland in Six Nations | Rugby | Sport


Fin and Marcus Smith are set to keep their places in the England line-up for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland. The pair both started the thrilling win over France last time out, with Fin starting at No.10 and his namesake full-back.

It was the latter who started off with the kicking duties, but he handed them over to his outside half late on after two simple misses from the tee.

The move paid dividends, with the Northampton player converting Elliot Daly’s late try to seal a 26-25 victory.

According to The Telegraph, Borthwick will keep faith with his dual playmaker ploy for the visit of the Scots this weekend. Only one change to the XV is said to be on the cards, with Ollie Chessum coming into the back row, leaving Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Tom Willis to fight it out for the other two places.

Curry has returned to the camp after being treated for injury following the game with Les Bleus. However, the flanker has not yet been confirmed fit for England’s bid to regain the Calcutta Cup after four successive defeats.

The remainder of the pack is set to be unchanged providing George Martin overcomes a knee niggle. Like Curry, the Leicester second row is back in training after being given some extra days off to address the issue.

Borthwick is not set to officially name his match day squad until later this week. But his apparent intention to play the two Smith’s is likely to be met with scepticism given the Scots are expected to provide a more stringent aerial challenge.

In their tournament opener in Ireland, it was Freddie Steward who started at full-back. But opting to again play Harlequins star Smith in that role signifies an intent to create opportunities from deep against Gregor Townsend’s side.

Scotland’s own backline selection is also set to provide intrigue. Co-captain Finn Russell and winger Darcy Graham, who left the field in Scotland’s loss to Ireland after colliding heads, are still fitness doubts.

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