Chiefs trio named in England squad for Calcutta Cup clash

England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team to play Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 24th February for the Calcutta Cup (kick-off 4.45pm GMT live on BBC1), with Chiefs trio Henry Slade, Ethan Roots and Immenuel Feyi-Waboso all named in the match-day 23.

Jamie George will captain a side which has five changes to the starting XV who defeated Wales at Twickenham Stadium in round two of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations with Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Danny Care all included.

The 142nd meeting between England and Scotland sees hooker George pack down with vice-captain Genge on the loosehead and Cole at tighthead; the two props winning their first starts of the Championship.

At lock, vice-captain Maro Itoje is paired with Ollie Chessum. The back row sees Ethan Roots win his third cap at blindside flanker, with Sam Underhill on the openside and Ben Earl – named Guinness player of the match against Wales – at No.8.

Scrum-half Care links up with vice-captain George Ford at 10. In midfield, inside centre Lawrence returns after injury to start his first game of the tournament alongside Henry Slade at 13.

In the back three, Elliot Daly is named on the left wing, with Tommy Freeman on the right and Furbank is selected at full-back to win his seventh England cap.

Amongst the replacements, George Martin returns to an England 23 for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Paris, having recovered from injury. The lock takes his place on the bench alongside Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“We’re pleased with the start we’ve made to our Guinness Six Nations campaign but know that a difficult test awaits us in Edinburgh against an in-form Scotland team,” said Borthwick.

“The atmosphere is always special for any Calcutta Cup match and I’m sure this weekend’s game at Murrayfield will be no different.

“This group of players are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday and to creating some very special memories.”

SCOTLAND v ENGLAND
Saturday 24th February 2024
Murrayfield Stadium
Kick-off: 4.45pm (GMT)

15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 59 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 66 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 93 caps) – vice captain
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 98 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 59 caps) – vice captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 87 caps) – captain
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 78 caps) – vice captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
6. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 32 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 27 caps)

Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 9 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 90 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 35 caps)
19. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 2 caps)
21. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)