"Here's my England XV" - Sir Clive Woodward would drop Marcus Smith for Six Nations opener

Tuesday, 17 January 2023 at 17:52

byRugby Rucker

Sir Clive Woodward has chosen his England team for the Six Nations, led by Owen Farrell and featuring players such as Freddie Steward and Ollie Hassell-Collins.

Number eight Billy Vunipola has been left out of new head coach Steve Borthwick's 36-man England squad for the Six Nations.

Other high-profile omissions include experienced wings Jonny May and Jack Nowell.

Meanwhile Borthwick has recalled 95-cap veteran prop Dan Cole, 35, who last played for England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Woodward wrote: "This first squad selection of England’s new era under Steve Borthwick proves not only that he wants to pick a team with pace, but also promises a stark contrast to the Eddie Jones era.

"Jones would never have named the likes of Ollie Hassell-Collins and Ben Earl for the Six Nations, as Borthwick did. Under the Australian, England became far too slow from one to 15.

"England’s overall approach and gameplan needed to change radically, which is why I’m so pleased by Borthwick’s selection. It is very positive.

"I was Jones’ No 1 fan up until the week of the 2019 World Cup final. England got their preparation for that game in Yokohama badly wrong. There were distractions everywhere and the team, as well as Jones, never recovered."

Sir Clive Woodward England XV (Mail Online):

15. Freddie Steward

Freddie Steward of England is tackled by Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

14. Ollie Hassell-Collins

13. Henry Slade

12. Manu Tuilagi

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

11. Cadan Murley

10. Owen Farrell (c)

He wrote; "Borthwick’s decision to make Owen Farrell captain is the right one and I would absolutely have him starting at No 10 during the Six Nations. He must begin the Scotland game there."

Owen Farrell, Captian of England scores a conversion during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

9. Jack van Poortvliet

1. Ellis Genge

2. Jamie George

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Courtney Lawes

6. Jack Willis

7. Ben Earl

8. Alex Dombrandt

Marcus Smith of England and Alex Dombrandt of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK