Dylan Hartley, ex-England captain, disagrees with claims of Steve Borthwick’s team being dull but advocates for a dynamic starting half-back duo, Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell, against Ireland.
“My head is telling me that George Ford will play with Alex Mitchell but in my heart, I would love to see Alex and Marcus paired together – and that is nothing against George.
“It’s a tough one. I can’t see Steve Borthwick changing George Ford but then again, where England are in the tournament I don’t think they will learn anything about themselves with established players on the field.
“I would understand if some more inexperienced guys were selected as the experience will be great for them – but the same old story of professional sport, fans and the RFU demanding results will most probably mean it is an experienced side selected.
“Alex Mitchell will come back in and rightly so. He is the in-form scrum-half. He is the sort of guy that can spark something – he is an instinctive player. He is the sort of guy that gives it a crack, which is really good. What you need outside of that is someone who wants the ball as well.
“I don’t think England are going to lose anything by playing George Ford, but I do think there is an opportunity for Borthwick to be bold in his selection for Ireland. The question Borthwick faces is does he stick with his tried and tested or do you start to move on?
“Marcus Smith has been out, but now he is back. Where does he fit into the side? Does Borthwick wait for Ford to retire and then play Smith? It would be too late by then. He needs to be bold with his selection decisions.
“It will come down to how England want to play. Do they want to play quite a balanced game – I’m not saying Marcus can’t play balanced – or do they want to throw caution to the wind and give him (Smith) a crack and go for it? England can’t win the tournament, so that is the dilemma Borthwick is facing.
“I love a lot of the experienced players in the team… but the future of the England team would be better served by giving the next generation an opportunity from here on at this tournament. Equally, when blooding young guys it’s great to have some old gnarly war horses around them – we can’t just go select an U21 side and hope for the best.
“These senior players instil confidence and calm when dotted about a team and will lead to better performances from the inexperienced guys. It’s such a fine balance.
“Then you have the whole obsession with picking between Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence. I have always loved playing alongside a powerhouse 12 – like an extra back rower who gives you clear punch and direction – but then I don’t think that Fraser Dingwall would have done too badly against Scotland if he kept his place in the team.
“For me, Dingwall is a really intelligent rugby player. He isn’t known for crash bash but he is quietly capable due to intelligent running lines. He has got soft, silky hands and makes appropriate passes and a player like that was missing (against Scotland).
“He didn’t do anything wrong in the opening two games of the tournament and then, suddenly, Lawrence is back available and he comes back into the team. Being honest, I don’t think that really worked.”
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“All Blacks-bound” – Five England players set to swap nations after falling out of favour
While the decision to switch national teams remains speculative, there are five players who could be considering such a move. Additionally, there are other notable names, such as Sam Underhill and Manu Tuilagi, who could also potentially swap nations. Underhill could opt for the USA, while Tuilagi may consider representing Samoa, given their respective birthplaces.
Furthermore, the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, might contemplate switching to Tonga, the birthplace of their father, under these new eligibility laws.
#1. Ollie Hassell-Collins (Wales)
The Leicester Tigers winger, who was given his debut by Borthwick in 2023, has expressed his willingness to potentially represent Wales in 2026.
Despite earning two caps for England during last year’s Six Nations, the 25-year-old hasn’t been included in Steve Borthwick’s squad since then. Notably, he was absent from England A’s recent triumph over Portugal.
Ahead of this year’s Six Nations, Gatland had mentioned Hassell-Collins several times, especially during the discussion surrounding another dual-qualified winger, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
“I have seen Gatland’s interview,” Hassell-Collins told the Telegraph.
“I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years then it’s definitely something that I would consider.
“I would qualify [for Wales] the year of the World Cup – that is, if he still wants me. Wales is still part of who I am.
“My grandma was Welsh and I still have family over there. It’s still a part of me – and I’d never turn it down – but for now it’s England for me.”