Eddie Jones has named his England team to play Scotland today with Tom Curry named as captain.
Joe Marchant has returned to the side after completing COVID isolation protocols at left wing, with Max Malins on the right wing and Freddie Steward at full back.
Kyle Sinckler starts at prop with Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe at lock. Lewis Ludlam is blind-side flanker and Sam Simmonds is No. 8.
Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford and Jack Nowell are named as finishers.
Eddie Jones said:
“As the first game, this match is hugely important to both sides and we will both want to get off to a winning start,” said Jones.
“We have a good, young team but we understand the task ahead and we’ll be ready to go after it from the first kick.
“Tom Curry will captain the side for this game and has the respect of the team around him, in Owen and Courtney’s absence. He also has the support of the vice captains and other leaders in the team such as Maro Itoje and Ben Youngs.
“We have prepared really well for this game. We’ve had a number of obstacles thrown at us, but we’ve overcome them as a more together group and we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Where and when will the match be played?
The match takes place at Murrayfield on Saturday, February 5.
Kick-off is at 4.45pm.
What channel is the match on?
The match is being broadcast live on BBC 1.
Will there be a live stream?
Yes, you will be able to watch the match on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Are there any fan zones that I can go to watch the game?
4TheFans have fan parks in Glasgow, London and Bristol.
Who is the referee?
- Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
- Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
- TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Full list of referees for the Six Nations.
RELEVANT FEATURES:
- Sir Ian McGeechan: Marcus Smith must start against Scotland
- Brian Moore: England must end reputation of being slow starters
- Danny Cipriani: England and Scotland both have two all-court No 10s
- Doddie Weir: His four ‘favourite’ England rivals from his career
England team to play Scotland:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 10 caps)
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 52 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
11. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 7 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 5 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 51 caps)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 3 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
7. Tom Curry (c) (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
Finishers
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 61 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 74 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 4 caps)
21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)
23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
The talented wives and girlfriends of England’s Six Nations squad
Find out who some of the equally talented wives and girlfriends of the England Six Nations squad.
#1. Jessica Lawes (England)
Not that you can tell from her flawless figure, but the property developer and blogger has four children with her husband Courtney.