Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
As they try to avoid their worst Six Nations appearance, England only made one shift to France.
Go coach Steve Borthwick has remained committed to the revised backline, which failed to work in the 23-18 fight by Italy in Rome, with Fin Smith playing fly-half for Saturday’s trip to Paris.
Otherwise, Borthwick has experimented with his back row by moving Guy Pepper to openside in place of Sam Underhill for the final Championship game against Ollie Chessum and moving Guy Pepper to fluster.
Tom Curry suffered a season-ending leg injuries during the warm-up, but Underhill was thrust into the starting XV at the Stadio Olimpico. However, in France, he may play in his place as a substitute as part of a six-two pairing between forward and tails.
Borthwick strengthens England’s line-out and gives his bottle more room to maneuver against France’s formidable forth by starting Chessum.
Fourteen personnel adjustments and three directional adjustments were made in the match against Italy, but England’s historic first defeat by the Azzurri was marred by a scuffle.
The Rugby Football Union gave Borthwick a ballot of limited trust.
Borthwick’s lease expires in 2027, but Chief Executive Bill Sweeney’s speech made no mention of Borthwick being protected until the 2027 World Cup, rather suggesting he take a summer trip to keep his job.
In what will be their worst Six Nations achievement, England will have won the tournament if they lose to France. They did so against Wales in the opening match.
” It’s a great challenge against a really powerful France side under the lighting in Paris,” Borthwick said.
” We’re looking forward to the occasion because England versus France is one of the greatest rivalries in international rugby.”
FRANCE ( V ) ENGLAND
Daly, Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley, Spencer, Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje ( capt ), Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl, and Freeman.
Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, van Poortvliet, and M Smith are the alternatives.
