England Opt for Minimal Changes Ahead of Crucial France Six Nations Encounter
Head coach Steve Borthwick has made just one alteration to the England starting lineup for their final Guinness Six Nations match against France this Saturday in Paris. Ollie Chessum comes into the side at blindside flanker, replacing Sam Underhill who drops to the bench.
Borthwick Sticks with Overhauled Backline Despite Italy Defeat
The England management has shown faith in the revamped backline that underperformed during the 23-18 loss to Italy in Rome. Fin Smith retains his position at fly-half for what promises to be a challenging encounter under the Parisian lights. This continuity selection suggests Borthwick believes the issues against Italy were more about execution than personnel.
Instead of further backline changes, Borthwick has adjusted his back row configuration. Chessum's inclusion at number six sees Guy Pepper shift to openside flanker, with Underhill providing impact from the replacements bench as part of a six-two split between forwards and backs.
Strategic Reasoning Behind Chessum Selection
The selection of Chessum represents a tactical decision to bolster England's capabilities in key areas. The 25-year-old Leicester Tigers captain brings:
- Enhanced line-out presence and expertise
- Additional physical ballast to counter France's formidable forward pack
- Versatility having played extensively in the second row for both club and country
Chessum's most recent international appearance at blindside flanker occurred during the 2024 Six Nations championship, making this a calculated recall rather than an experimental selection.
Context of England's Disappointing Championship Campaign
This selection comes against the backdrop of England's underwhelming Six Nations performance. Following nine personnel changes and three positional switches against Italy, England suffered their first defeat to the Azzurri in 33 meetings despite establishing an 18-10 lead in the third quarter.
The pressure on Borthwick intensified after the Italy loss, though he received a vote of confidence from Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney on Sunday. Notably, Sweeney's statement did not guarantee Borthwick's position through to the 2027 World Cup, instead suggesting the summer tour would be crucial for his future.
Potential Milestones and Stakes for Final Match
Should they feature from the bench, both Sam Underhill and Marcus Smith are poised to earn their 50th caps for England, providing additional motivation for strong performances.
The stakes could not be higher for England's final outing. A defeat would confirm their worst ever Six Nations performance with just one victory - against Wales in their opening match - leaving them likely to finish in fifth position. This would represent a significant low point in England's championship history.
"It's a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side," Borthwick acknowledged. "England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we're looking forward to the occasion."
Complete England Matchday Squad
Starting XV: E Daly (Saracens); T Roebuck (Sale), T Freeman (Northampton), S Atkinson (Gloucester), C Murley (Harlequins); F Smith (Northampton), B Spencer (Bath); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens, capt), A Coles (Northampton), O Chessum (Leicester), G Pepper (Bath), B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), B Rodd (Sale), T Davison (Northampton), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), S Underhill (Bath), H Pollock (Northampton), J van Poortvliet (Leicester), M Smith (Harlequins).
