SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
- 5. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
McGeechan wrote: “In the second row Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes are both exceptional ball-carriers who can also play at six if more ballast is needed.”
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
- 8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
McGeechan wrote: “England’s back row could see Tom Curry and Sam Underhill on the flanks, although I’m a huge fan of Ben Earls’ powerful carrying. No 8 would, of course, be Smith’s partner-in-crime at Quins, the man mountain Dombrandt. His ability to combine with Smith is uncanny and would be central to England’s attacking threat.”
