1
One XV change as England visit France; Tuilagi also named on bench
By Liam Heagney
Steve Borthwick has confirmed an England team to visit France that shows just one change from the XV that humbled Ireland at Twickenham last Saturday.
The English burst into life in their head coach’s 20th game in charge, ending Irish hopes of back-to-back Guinness Six Nations Grand Slams with a redemptive 23-22 triumph in London.
That win has ensured that the 2024 title race has gone down to the wire and Borthwick will go in against the French with a side that has one backline switch.
A try-scorer against the Irish in what was his first Test start, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso reported a concussion at the start of this week that ruled him out of round five.
The rookie had taken the place of the benched Elliot Daly for the round four match, and the long-serving back now returns to start on the left wing with Tommy Freeman moving across to the right wing berth that Feyi-Waboso had occupied.
On the bench, the vacancy left by Daly will be filled by Manu Tuilagi for his first appearance in his championship, while the spot up for grabs following the calf injury suffered by Chandler Cunningham-South has been taken by Ethan Roots.
Roots was the blindside starter in the three England games in February before he was dropped to accommodate George Martin’s start versus Ireland.
In an RFU media release, Borthwick said: “After such a hard-fought win against Ireland last week, we realise how important it is to back that performance up with another similar display in Lyon on Saturday.
“France remain one of the very top sides in the world and will pose a great challenge for us. We have had a great preparation so far this week and there is a genuine sense of anticipation and determination around the camp as we head to an exciting final weekend.”
France, meanwhile, have named an unchanged match day 23 following their win over Wales last Sunday in Cardiff.
England (vs France, Saturday)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 61 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 68 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 95 caps) – vice-captain
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 61 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 89 caps) – captain
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 111 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 80 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 29 caps)
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 11 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 92 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
19. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 16 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 100 caps)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 31 caps)
23. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to comments