Henry Pollock set for debut as England change four for Wales

Northampton Saints’ Henry Pollock could make his England debut from the bench on Saturday against Wales in round five of the Guinness Six Nations.

The 20-year-old replaces Ted Hill as one of the forward options on the bench in a 6-2 split, with Ben Curry also being promoted to the starting XV, swapping places with Tom Willis.

Curry’s inclusion is one of four changes to the starting team from the one that triumphed over Italy, with Sale Sharks winger Tom Roebuck coming in for his first appearance of the Championship in place of the injured Ollie Lawrence. The move will see Tommy Freeman shift to outside centre for the first time for England.

After initially being named at full-back against the Azzurri, Elliot Daly will start on the wing in Cardiff, replacing Ollie Sleightholme on the left, who has dropped out of the squad. Daly’s time in the back three was limited against Italy, as he moved to outside centre following Lawrence’s early injury. Only 24 of the Saracen’s previous 60 starts have been on the wing.

Fixture

Six Nations

Wales

14 - 68

Full-time

England

All Stats and Data

Marcus Smith will also return to full-back, while Luke Cowan-Dickie will reclaim the No.2 jersey from Jamie George, who won his 100th cap last week. George Ford will also make his first appearance of the tournament, and 99th overall, as he takes up one of the two back spots on the bench.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has rejigged his pack as well as his backline, with Ben Earl moving back to No.8 to accommodate Tom and Ben Curry on either flank.

England know a bonus-point win against a winless Wales side will guarantee second place this Championship, then they will hope Scotland can pull off a victory over France in Paris in the final match of the day on Super Saturday.

“We’re excited to face Wales at the Principality Stadium this weekend, one of the most iconic venues in rugby,” said Borthwick.

“The atmosphere will be electric, and we know we’ll need to be at our very best to get the result we’re aiming for.”

Tighthead Will Stuart will make his 50th appearance for England at the Principality Stadium to cap a standout tournament. Borthwick addressed the prop’s landmark, saying: “Reaching 50 caps is a well-deserved milestone for Will and a testament to the hard work he’s shown throughout his career. We’re excited to see him reach this landmark on Saturday and look forward to seeing him continue delivering performances at the highest level.”

England XV
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 43 caps)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 72 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 22 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 70 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 48 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 60 caps)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 41 caps)

Replacements
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 100 caps) – vice-captain
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 10 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 14 caps)
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
21. Tom Willis (Saracens, 5 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
23. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)