Captain Maro Itoje will return to England’s starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown against Scotland at Murrayfield, as Steve Borthwick’s side look to defend the Calcutta Cup.
Itoje, who featured off the bench in England’s emphatic 48–7 win over Wales last weekend, comes straight back into the second row in one of two changes to the forward pack.
Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker, while Jamie George—the stand-in captain in Itoje’s absence—is named among the replacements.
The only other adjustment to the matchday squad sees fly-half Fin Smith take a place on the bench, replacing Marcus Smith.
England Banking on Continuity
England have otherwise retained faith in the side that dismantled Wales, with the backline unchanged.
Henry Arundell keeps his place on the left wing after his stunning first-half hat-trick, while Tom Roebuck remains on the right wing following his try-scoring return from injury. Freddie Steward continues at full-back, with Alex Mitchell and George Ford orchestrating play from half-back.
Northampton duo Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman are again preferred in midfield, despite the availability of Ollie Lawrence.
Itoje’s return restores leadership and experience to the pack. The British and Irish Lions skipper partners Ollie Chessum in the second row, with Alex Coles providing cover from the bench.
Itoje had started every England Six Nations match since 2020 until last weekend, when he missed the start of the training camp following the passing of his mother, Florence, in Nigeria. He made his return as a second-half replacement against Wales.
Borthwick Wary of Scotland’s Firepower
England head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the scale of the challenge awaiting his side in Edinburgh, despite England reclaiming the Calcutta Cup last year with a narrow 16–15 win.
“Scotland are a top-quality side,” Borthwick said. “You look at that backline—it’s almost a Lions backline with Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe. That is an incredible backline and the way they move that ball is so dangerous.”
He added that England must be prepared for multiple tactical approaches.
“If they bring that phase game, our defence has to be perfect.”
Calcutta Cup Stakes Rising Again
After suffering four straight defeats to Scotland between 2021 and 2024, England regained the Calcutta Cup last year and now have the chance to secure back-to-back victories for the first time in five years.
With Itoje restored to the starting lineup and continuity across the backline, England will travel to Murrayfield confident—but fully aware that Scotland remain one of their most dangerous and motivated rivals.
England starting XV: Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford (v-capt), Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge (v-capt), Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Jamie George (v-capt), Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith.
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