Steve Borthwick has gone early and today named his England squad for the opening match of the 2026 Six Nations against Wales, set to be played at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The headline decision is Maro Itoje starting on the bench for only the fourth time in his England career and ending a record-breaking run of having played every minute of every Six Nations match since 2020.
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His 30 consecutive 80-minute matches far eclipses second-placed Chris Paterson, who reached 22 between 2003 and 2007.
Borthwick was clear that personal circumstances were the determining factor, with Itoje arriving later to the squad following time away in Nigeria with his family due to the passing of his mother. The England head coach stressed that the lock’s influence will still be significant, even if it comes later in the contest.
“Maro and his family have been dealing with an incredible loss, the sad loss of his mum. We all feel for him in that regard, he travelled to Nigeria and back and has had a big load from a travel perspective. So I’ve made the decision that he’s going to be on the bench this week.
“I’m sure he’s going to have incredible impact off the bench and I’m sure that the crowd at Allianz Stadium will give him the roar he deserves when he comes to the touchline ready to come on the pitch and show just how much they care about him and his family.”
Jamie George captains the side, with George Ford and Ellis Genge as vice captains, while Alex Coles comes into the starting lineup. Coles’ selection is a reward for consistent form with Northampton Saints and strong performances during the Quilter Nations Series. Borthwick views this as part of a wider plan to build competition and resilience across the squad.
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“We’re very fortunate to have such strength of leadership that Jamie can captain the team so ably supported by Ellis and George, who at different times have also captained the team. I’ve talked to you in the past about building a density of leadership and I think that’s what we are developing here.”
“We want depth across the team and we want competition for places across the team and I think we have got that in many positions. We have a number of leaders now in diverse positions also that help us and I think the squad is, whilst across the autumn we have had a couple of injuries and have players unavailable so we have new players in camp this week, I am very confident the depth in the squad is going to continue to develop throughout this.
“There are one or two players we have only just been getting to know over the last two weeks and I think they are going to be in the England squad for a long time.”
One notable omission is Tom Roebuck, who has returned to training after a toe injury sustained against New Zealand. Despite his aerial strengths suiting the anticipated Welsh kicking game, Borthwick opted for caution, selecting Henry Arundell and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso instead.
“Tom continues to do really well, he is training very hard and I think looking at him and where he is at, I made the decision that ideally he would have another few days, another week or so of his return to play to get him absolutely where he needs to be. Sometimes if you have got the opportunity with players we have, the likes of Henry Arundell and Manny Feyi-Waboso, we have got really talented players in that position. I am excited to be selecting those two and I am sure Tom will be coming back into the mix very soon.
On Arundell’s readiness for the Welsh approach, Borthwick added, “I think you have seen that, the way he has been at the club since the autumn series. I think he’s done very well. We know the opposition will test us in a load of different ways and I think training over the last period has gone well in the few days we have been together. That is clearly one aspect of the game that we’re preparing the team for.”
Henry Pollock again waits for his first start in an England jersey, following five appearances off the bench, including two tries in Cardiff last year on his debut. The 21-year-old has been in very strong form at club level and has taken his chances well off the bench internationally. Borthwick remains impressed but sees value in his role late in games.
“He’s played very well. The back row is a really competitive position and I like the impact he’s having off the bench. I spoke with Henry about some of the bits he can add to his game. He’s an incredible player and an incredible character. The supporters will give a real cheer as soon as he comes to the touchline to come on on Saturday. He’s done really well in those last parts of games and I think he’ll do the same again this weekend.”
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