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Six Nations

England backed to bounce back with one change for daunting Paris trip

By Josh Raisey

46 days ago

Sam Underhill of England reacts after he is shown a yellow card and bunker review by Referee Luc Ramos during the Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between Italy and England at Stadio Olimpico on March 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Dan Mullan - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

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.

VIDEO

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.

Fixture

Six Nations

France

48 - 46

Full-time

England

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“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)

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Comments

15 Comments

Mr Easy 45 days ago

Who exactly is backing them to bounce back? The coaching ticket that has backed them to step up in each of the last 3 games? I have no faith is this set up at all.

HM 45 days ago

Don’t understand the pack really. Not enough ball carriers, play three open sides but destroyed at the breakdown during last three games. Bizarre

Jacque 45 days ago

Kick, chase & hope. That’s the style or whatever it is they will play against France.

Worst thing that could’ve happend to Eng this past weeknd, apart from the loss to Italy, was the French loss vs Scots.

Just CANNOT see Eng containg the French pack in Paris.

Footy Franks 46 days ago

Yeah it should be a French massacre. Off with their heads. England are no chance. The pack is too cumbersome and slow and the backs will have a Swiss cheese defence.

DP 46 days ago

Nope.

TheNotoriousFig 46 days ago

To me, at least he is taking a clear position which is admirable on some level. That said, he must really be going in to the emotional locker to bring that team up from where they are. The ball bounces funny ways so anything is possible but that is a big ask for these guys. It would be somewhat typical of this particular Six Nations for England to go and pull of an incredible result and beat France.

SB 46 days ago

The last time Chessum played 6 for England was also against France in 2024.

Footy Franks 45 days ago

Chessum should play in Itoje position

unknown 46 days ago

The problem is Borthwick doesn’t let the players play a style of rugby that suits their skill sets. He also picks players out of position rather than simply selecting the best player in each respective position (i.e. Earl is not the best 8, Chessum is not the best 6, Freeman is not the best 13, Daly not the best 15). The team will never reach its potential until this is addressed

Hammer Head 46 days ago

Backed by who?

If England lose within 10 points - I’ll broil and devour my boxer shorts.

unknown 46 days ago

Probably backed by Borthwick himself or his buddies he hired as yes men. Everyone else fears and expects the worst. I doubt Borthwick can inspire this team especially when he forces them to play such turgid rugby

unknown 46 days ago

Einstein's definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again .. and expecting a different outcome! Perhaps it should be renamed ‘Borthwick's Law’!

Selecting Daly, Itoje, Spencer, and 4 openside flanker is the very definition of insanity!

unknown 46 days ago

There is no evidence to support the claim that Einstein ever said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” . In any of his speeches or statements

ED 46 days ago

I disagree. He has used 3 different tactics in 3 matches.

This game who knows…they might put it altogether.

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