Steve Borthwick has admitted his players failed to meet his 'unwavering standards' after making nine personnel and three position changes for England's Six Nations clash against Italy. The head coach axed George Ford, Freddie Steward, Henry Arundell and Fraser Dingwall from the matchday squad following the 42-21 defeat by Ireland.
Fin Smith comes in at fly-half, Seb Atkinson makes his Six Nations debut at inside-centre, and Tommy Freeman shifts from wing to outside-centre in an entirely new backline. In the pack, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Henry Pollock drop to the bench, replaced by Alex Coles, Jamie George and Guy Pepper respectively.
Borthwick said: 'I say to the team that we have certain standards, and I am going to hold them to those standards. There are certain things that, to me, are unwavering. Unfortunately, in the last two games, on certain things, we’ve not met those standards.'
The head coach also hosted England football manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff to discuss preparing players for international rugby, noting the difference in officiating between domestic and Test matches. 'The officiating in Prem Rugby certainly awards the attack more than it does in international rugby,' Borthwick said.
