"Surgery next week" - Steve Borthwick provides injury update on Ollie Lawrence as Tommy Freeman starts at centre

Find your local Greene King and settle in to the Six Nations!

Borthwick has made an assortment of changes to his squad, with plenty of variation from the side that beat Italy last Sunday. Tom Roebuck is called into the back-three, with no space in the entire squad for Northampton Saints flyer Ollie Sleightholme. Tommy Freeman shuffles across to the outside centre, with Elliot Daly pushing out wide after the Saracen started at fullback last weekend.

Speaking of the 15 shirt, Marcus Smith is back in the starting line-up, with the back-line butterfly effect seeing multiple changes following the injury to Ollie Lawrence. Sale fly half George Ford and the uncapped Northampton bolter Henry Pollock both take seats on the substitutes bench, as they both hope to make their first appearances in the 2025 Six Nations.

There are also changes in the forward pack, as Luke Cowan-Dickie is back in the starting hooker spot, and Ben Curry gets set to start on the open-side flank. These alterations then move the Saracens duo of Jamie George and Tom Willis back down to the replacements bench, with no space in the entire match day squad for Bath loose forward Ted Hill. Steve Borthwick addressed the litany of changes to his squad, in his press conference this afternoon at the England training camp in Surrey.

The England head coach first gave an update to Ollie Lawrence's injury condition, with the midfielder looking in doubt for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. The centre sustained the shock injury after just eight minutes in England's win over Italy, with the knock-on effect causing Borthwick to re-structure his entire back-line. Borthwick has moved his regular wing Tommy Freeman to the middle of the park, with Lawrence set to go under the knife in the foreseeable future.

STEVE BORTHWICK: "Unfortunately, we're all really disappointed for Ollie Lawrence with the injury he suffered last weekend. He's been such an integral part of the team for so long and has been playing so well. That's led to some change in the centre. And then I've weighed up all the different options we have and I'm in very privileged position to have plenty of options.

"Achilles injury and he will aim for surgery next week." Borthwick added. "Don't know until…he'll be out for a substantial period of time and the surgeon will advise on that post-surgery."

Rounding off the discussion on England's refreshed attacking line, Borthwick addressed the decision to start his regular winger in the middle of the park. Tommy Freeman has previously garnered reps at centre for Northampton Saints, which got the attention of the England head coach.

STEVE BORTWICK: "We've been looking at Tommy as a possible centre for a good period of time. He's moved there to 13 in within many games and he's always he's been covering that centre position a lot for us. He's been starting games on the wing but has been covering centre, and trained a lot there.

"Clearly him and Fraser and the relationship they have from playing together at the same club and playing 12 and 13 together at the same club and playing some big games together at 12 and 13, that understanding and togetherness is important for us to to have within our team."

Versatility proves to be key in the eyes of Steve Borthwick, with Elliot Daly moved across to the left wing for the battle with Wales. After starting at fullback and then starring in the centre for the most part against Italy, the Saracen Swiss-army knife is once again living up to his adaptable monicker. Marcus Smith is back in the 15 shirt, with Borthwick addressing the decision making process.

STEVE BORTHWICK: "Elliot Daly's played really well, whether that's been from the bench to 15, the bench to the wing or into the centres at different times. He's played really well. His experience and the leadership he brings is excellent. So we moved him to the wing and put Marcus at 15.

"You start looking at that back division with Tom Roebuck coming on the right wing and you see pace, a left foot option, guys that find space really well. It's a combination I'm looking forward to seeing play on Saturday."

With six tries in his eight England caps, there are few members of the current England squad that have a better strike record than Ollie Sleightholme. The flyer bagged two tries against Italy last Sunday, however, there is no place in the match day squad for Sleightholme this Saturday.

Borthwick has opted for the preferred partnership of Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly in the wide channels. The head coach addressed the decision, as England are spoiled with an abundance of depth to their wing options.

STEVE BORTHWICK: "He's (Ollie Sleightholme) done really and continues to do really well. We're blessed with having plenty of options there, which is a good position to be in. We're always looking to get that balance right, the balance of options, the left foot of Elliott Daly there.

"I think the combinations we have with that 9, 10, 12, 13 having played together (at Northampton Saints - Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman) and then the right players outside that. There's always a number of factors in selection, but the players, with the way they're playing, the quality they have, they give me plenty of good headaches."

The Six Nations Championship, Europe’s premier rugby tournament, has delivered unforgettable moments and showcased some of the game’s greatest players.

From stunning tries to epic battles, the 2010s were packed with rugby brilliance.

Can you name the players who lit up the tournament during this golden decade? You’ll need to be on top form to get 15/15—are you up for the challenge? Let’s kick off!