Steve Borthwick announces England Six Nations team for Italy – LIVE

Steve Borthwick is thought to be mulling changes to his England side after a disappointing start to his tenure as head coach. The return of Henry Slade after injury could lead to a different midfield combination, with Owen Farrell perhaps shifting to fly half with Ollie Lawrence and Slade outside him. Henry Arundell is another returnee from injury and is already pushing for a back-three opportunity, which may come from the bench.

The France-based Jack Willis is likelier to feature this week after missing out last, while Alex Mitchell is in line for a second cap with Ben Youngs, England’s most capped male player, not included.

Italy were without first-choice fly half Paolo Garbisi for their Six Nations opener, and it may be that this game also comes too soon for the playmaker. Tommaso Allan is therefore set to continue at fly half, and after a positive start to the tournament, major changes would appear unlikely.

Kieran Crowley could bring Saracens prop Marco Riccioni into his starting side at tighthead, while the New Zealander may also consider starting Edoardo Padovani in the back three – his experience and aerial acumen may be valuable.

Here’s the pool from which Borthwick will be selecting his team and bench today:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Tom Dunn (Bath), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), David Ribbans (Northampton), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Walker (Harlequins), Jack Willis (Toulouse).

Backs: Henry Arundell (London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Max Malins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Henry Slade (Exeter), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

The Telegraph are reporting a story by Gavin Mairs that Steve Borthwick is set to drop Marcus Smith for match against Italy with captain Owen Farrell to be handed the fly-half position.

Borthwick is expected to make a number of changes after the defeat to Scotland and the Harlequins No 10 is set to lose his starting spot.

The Smith-Farrell axis that began under Eddie Jones failed to yield positive results again last Saturday despite brief flashes of promise.

England’s midfield is expected to contain Ollie Lawrence and the fit-again Henry Slade whilst Jack Willis is set to assume the openside flanker position, replacing Ben Curry who failed to make a significant impact in his first Test start.

Ben Youngs, England’s most capped scrum-half, was left out of England’s 29-man squad for Sunday after a lacklustre appearance against Scotland. Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell will share the scrum-half duties in his absence.

Steve Borthwick is set to announcement his team squad for England’s next Six Nations match against Italy Scotland on Sunday.

The announcement set for 3pm this afternoon and there may be some changes to the 23-man squad that lost the opening fixture to Scotland last weekend.

The Telegraph are reporting that Marcus Smith will be dropped with captain Owen Farrell to be given the fly-half position.

Borthwick’s team really need to defeat Italy to have any hopes of winning the Six Nations but their opponents impressed in a defeat to France during their first outing.