England head coach Steve Borthwick has reshuffled his pack for Saturday’s pivotal Round 3 clash with Ireland, as his side looks to reignite their Six Nations Championship campaign at Allianz Stadium.
Following the frustration of Murrayfield — where Scotland brought England’s 12-match winning run to an end — the pressure is firmly on to get back on track. Borthwick has responded with three changes to his starting XV, the most eye-catching being a first Test start at number eight for Henry Pollock.
The dynamic forward, who has impressed as an impact substitute, now anchors a reworked back row alongside the returning Tom Curry and the ever-reliable Ben Earl. It is a clear signal of intent as England look to bring greater tempo and physicality to their breakdown game.
In midfield, Ollie Lawrence returns to add punch, allowing Tommy Freeman to shift back to the wing. On the bench, Borthwick has opted for a 6–2 split, reintroducing the creativity of Marcus Smith and the tempo control of scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet.
Itoje’s Milestone Moment
The spotlight, however, will fall squarely on Maro Itoje.
The Saracens second row will lead England out to earn his 100th Test cap, becoming just the ninth men’s player in history to reach the milestone.
“To reach 100 caps for England is a remarkable achievement,” said Borthwick. “He leads through his actions every day, sets the standard for others and cares deeply about representing his country. We’re all incredibly proud of what he has achieved, and I know it will be a special day for him and his family.”
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