England fans have been left baffled by a report that suggests Steve Borthwick is set to drop Freddie Steward for their clash against Italy.
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England are looking to bounce back from their opening defeat by the Scots when they face Italy at Twickenham on Sunday.
The ‘Azzurri’ have proven to their Six Nations critics that they should not be taken lightly. An unexpected and impressive outing against reigning Six Nations Champions France, saw Italy take ‘Les Bleus’ to the wire, in a hotly contested match.
Securing a losing bonus point, with a 24-29 narrow defeat, Italy will be looking to write the wrongs at Twickenham, and pick up their first win of the competition.
According to The Telegraph, star man Steward, who has been on the field for every minute of England’s last 18 Test matches, is possibly in line to be rotated to the bench or rested.
Vice-captain Lawes is unlikely to face the Azzurri as he was not named among the 36, but is being kept involved by the head coach as he continues his rehabilitation from a calf injury.
Henry Slade has been included in England’s 36-man squad after recovering from injury. He is joined in the squad by London Irish winger Henry Arundell, who has recovered from a foot problem to be tipped to start.
TELEGRAPH LEAKED ENGLAND XV:
15. Henry Arundell (London Irish)
14. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers(
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11. Max Malins (Saracens)