Squad
Loosehead Prop: Ellis Genge, Fin Baxter. Bevan Rodd
Hooker: Jamie George, Theo Dan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Curtis Langdon
Tighthead Prop: Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, Asher Opoku-Fudjour
Second Row: Maro Itoje, George martin, Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark
Back Row: Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Willis, Ted Hill
Scrum-half: Alex Mitchell, Raffi Quirke, Jack Van Poortvliet
Fly-half: Marcus Smith, Fin Smith, George Ford
Centres: Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Fraser Dingwall, Oscar Beard
Back Three: Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, Cadan Murley, Freddie Steward, Tom Roebuck
England come into this under more pressure than any other team. Apart from just being England, which brings its own pressure, they need a couple of big wins - and quickly. That means beating two of Ireland, France and Scotland without slipping up against Italy or Wales. Last year, England showed some positive signs but finished fourth, This year, that is not good enough. Going away to Dublin on the opening weekend is a daunting challenge but also presents a great opportunity for this team to change the narrative. The first three games are against Ireland, France and Scotland so England which is a brutal start but could actually be a gift for this team to lift themselves out of the doldrums in which they currently find themselves. The one game England simply have to win is the Calcutta cup, it has been in Scottish hands for too long and is an embarrassment to English rugby. A dominant win at home against the Scots would signal a change in European rugby's pecking order.
England have been dealt several injury blows before the tournament even starts. Sam Underhill, Emmanuel Feyi-Waboso and George Furbank are all injured and Jamie George is out for at least the first game. Jamie George's set piece solidity will be missed but Luke Cowan-Dickie is an experienced replacement. Sam Underhill is irreplaceable in terms of what he brings to the team but England are blessed with talent in the back row and have a few openside flankers who are not in the squad that would be key starters for most other nations. Feyi-Waboso's dynamism will be missed but England are not short of wingers, either. The two key players that have returned from injury in the autmn re Ollie Chssum and Alex Mitchell. England's line-out suffered without the presence of Chessum and the autumn highlighted how pivotal Mitchell has become to England's attack.
There are still big question marks over England's defence and the system they use. It is well known that Felix Jones, who implemented the blitz system left in rather odd circumstances last year before the system developed and he was replaced by Joe El-Abd who has been far from convincing in a short space of time. Will England stick with the blitz or will they adjust to a style that wouldn't lead to so many individual errors.
Player to watch
Maro Itoje. He has just been named captain of the England team and was already the main face of the side. He is a world-class second row player who is disruptive out of possession and dominant with the ball. He is known to be a deep thinker so his leadership style will be fascinating to watch. He may be a good balance with Steve Borthwicks seemingly unflappable media persona.
My England team to play Ireland
1.Ellis Genge 2.Theo Dan 3.WIll Stuart 4.Maro Itoje 5.George Martin
6.Ollie Chessum 7.Ben Curry 8.Tom Willis 9.Alex Mitchell 10.Marcus Smith
11.Tommy Freeman 12.Ollie Lawrence 13.Henry Slade 14.Ollie Sleightholme 15.Freddie Steward
16.Luke Cowan-Dickie 17.Bevan Rodd 18.Asher Opoku-Fudjour 19.Chandler Cunningham-South
20.Ben Earl 21.Harry Randall 22.FIn Smith 23.Cadan Murley
Predicted finish: 2nd
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