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England backed to bounce back with one change for daunting Paris trip
By Josh Raisey
Ollie Chessum has come into England’s starting XV as the only change made by Steve Borthwick for their final match of the Guinness Six Nations against France on Saturday.
The British and Irish Lion will make a rare start at blindside flanker, having been on the bench in the historic defeat to Italy, as Borthwick has altered the make-up of his back-row to counter a formidable French pack.
Chessum’s return to the starting XV has seen Sam Underhill drop to the bench, with Guy Pepper starting at openside flanker.
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Underhill had originally been named on the bench for the clash in Rome, but replaced Tom Curry in the starting XV minutes before kick-off after the Sale Sharks star injured his calf, with Chandler Cunningham-South joining the bench. Curry has been ruled out of the trip to Paris.
A yellow card to Bath’s Underhill in the second half was a turning point in the match, as Italy came back to win. Before then, he was staking a claim to start again with a strong defensive display. Should he come on from the bench, it will be his 50th appearance for England, with Marcus Smith also joining him in achieving that milestone.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick.
“England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
Focusing on the milestones for Underhill and Smith, Borthwick said: “Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
England XV
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens) (c)
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
7. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens)
Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins)
20. Sam Underhill (Bath)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
