Second Row
After a disappointing performance against Scotland, Borthwick should drop Maro Itoje to the bench for the match against Italy. Recalling Jonny Hill back to Pennyhill Park this week, would be Borthwick’s best bet to have a water-tight second row, partnering up alongside the ever-impressing Ollie Chessum.
Itoje seemed to have lost some of his acclaimed fire, and was extinguished by Scotland at the breakdown. The Saracen may just need a drop to the bench, to instil the fight back into him. When the 28-year-old is playing his best, he is near unplayable. We saw glimpses of this in Itoje’s line-out disruption against Scotland, but he was far from the complete Itoje England fans are used to.
4. Ollie Chessum
5. Jonny Hill
Back Row
Ludlam was a workhorse for England against Scotland, and is exactly what Borthwick is looking for in the absence of Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry. The flanker tackled excellently, and was not afraid to carry the ball into collisions. However, Ludlam’s back row partners should change, after Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt were not up to the mark in the Calcutta Cup.
Ben Curry’s missed tackles were a weakness in the English defence. Rushing out the line, Curry was evaded by Ben White, who then stepped passed Dombrandt to score. The Harlequins number eight was also comfortably fended by Duhan van der Merwe, after the winger had already beaten five defenders, to score that outstanding solo try. Ben Earl and Sam Simmonds need to be called up. Earl’s no-nonsense mentality and fearless tackling stood out in his substitute appearance. Borthwick should call upon Simmonds, with the Exeter Chiefs back rower ready to impress with hard carries and explosive pace.
6. Lewis Ludlam
7. Ben Earl
8. Sam Simmonds
COMPETITION
