Steve Borthwick, the new coach of the Rose, unveiled a group of 36 players to prepare for the Tournament.
Stave Borthwick, the new coach of England to replace Eddie Jones, unveiled on Monday a group of 36 players to prepare for the Six Nations Tournament. The English will complete a five-day stage at Pennyhill Park, their training ground, before their start in the 2023 edition by hosting Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 4.
The experienced number 8 Billy Vunipola as well as the wingers Jonny May and Jack Nowell are absent from this group. Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith has been called up by Steve Borthwick for the first time. There are also four rookie players in this group: Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), George McGuigan (Gloucester), Cadan Murley (Harlequins) and Jack Walker (Harlequins). Note the return from injury of second or third line Courtney Lawes (Northampton).
In the pack, Dan Cole (Leicester), Ben Curry (Sale), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins) are also returning to the squad from the November test matches, as are fullbacks Elliot Daly (Saracens), Dan Kelly ( Leicester), Max Malins (Saracens) and Joe Marchant (Harlequins).
“A courageous spirit and total commitment”
«They’re an exciting team, with a mix of experienced Six Nations players and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership, Stve Bortwick commented in a press release. We are all looking forward to the challenges of this Six Nations and we will approach this great tournament with a brave spirit and full commitment. I know the players are eager to return to Twickenham and give our fans a performance they can be proud of. The hard work of preparing for the match against Scotland begins now.»
After the clash against Scotland, the XV of the Rose will host Italy on Sunday February 12, before returning to Cardiff to face Wales on Saturday February 25. The English will then make their return to Twickenham to face France on Saturday 11 March. And the last game will be a clash in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday March 18.
The England squad:
Fronts: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 selections), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 cells.), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 1 cell.), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 cells.), Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 cells. ), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 cells.), Jamie George (Saracens, 72 cells.), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 cells.), Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 cells.), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 cells.), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 cells.), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 cells.), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 cells.), George McGuigan (Gloucester Rugby, 0 cells.), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 cells.), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 cells.), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 cells.), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 cells.), Jack Walker (Harlequins, 0 cells.) , Jack Willis (Toulouse, 6 cells.)
Rears: Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 cells.), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 cells.), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 cells.), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, 0 cells.), Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cell.), Max Malins (Saracens, 14 cells.), Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 cells.), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cell.), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 0 cells.), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 52 cells.), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 0 cells.), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 cells.), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 cells.), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 cells.), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 cells.), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 cells.)