Maro Itoje restored as England captain for Calcutta Cup journey to Scotland | Six Nations 2026

Maro Itoje has been restored to the England captaincy for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup conflict towards Scotland whereas Luke Cowan-Dickie begins at hooker with Steve Borthwick in any other case holding religion with the aspect who thrashed Wales final week.

Fin Smith replaces namesake Marcus within the No23 jersey however that, Itoje’s anticipated return to the beginning lineup and the choice to utilise Jamie George’s expertise from the bench, apart, Borthwick has challenged nearly all of his gamers to repeat the trick at Murrayfield.

Ollie Lawrence was on monitor to be match for Saturday’s match however Borthwick is decided to persevere with Tommy Freeman at outdoors centre. Henry Arundell, who scored a hat-trick towards Wales, can anticipate a barrage of excessive balls coming his means at Murrayfield however Borthwick has resisted the temptation to tinker, once more deciding on the Tub flyer on the left wing. Tom Roebuck, who was a late call-up to exchange the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso towards Wales, continues on the fitting.

Ellis Genge was withdrawn at half-time towards Wales and sat out coaching on Monday as a result of a hamstring niggle however he has been deemed match to start out in Edinburgh. Itoje’s return was anticipated – he was on the bench towards Wales after lacking the beginning of England’s coaching camp to attend his late mom’s funeral in Nigeria – however it’s harsh on Alex Coles, who drops to the bench regardless of his wonderful current kind.

With Fin Smith one in every of solely two backs named on the bench, England seem gentle at cowl within the three-quarters. Borthwick has talked up Smith’s means to play at inside-centre up to now, nonetheless, and Ben Earl moved to midfield within the latter levels towards Wales with Freeman returning to the wing.

Borthwick’s resolution to start out Cowan-Dickie is sensible insofar because it permits George to be contemporary for the closing levels of the match. Elsewhere, Joe Heyes is once more at tighthead prop, Ollie Chessum companions Itoje within the second-row whereas Man Pepper, Sam Underhill and Earl comprise the back-row. Alex Mitchell is at scrum-half, George Ford at fly-half and Fraser Dingwall stays at inside-centre. Freddie Steward seems at fullback.

On the bench, George, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison present front-row cowl with Coles, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock tasked with re-energising the ahead pack within the second half. Ben Spencer is the back-up scrum-half in a 6-2 break up with Fin Smith approaching to the bench.

“Enjoying Scotland at Murrayfield is all the time a incredible event and a problem we’re relishing,” mentioned Borthwick. “We made a delightful begin to the Championship, however we perceive that we should proceed to boost our requirements. The squad has educated with focus and dedication this week, and we’re excited for the chance to check ourselves once more on Saturday.”