Six Nations 2024: Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall to make England debuts against Italy
| Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 3 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; stay textual content and post-match highlights on BBC Sport web site and app; watch stay on ITV1 |
Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall will make their England debuts against Italy in Rome on Saturday on the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
Dingwall, 24, is known as at inside centre alongside the returning Henry Slade and Roots will begin at blind-side flanker.
The skilled George Ford will steer England’s assault from fly-half.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has additionally named the uncapped trio of Chandler Cunningham-South, Fin Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the bench.
Hooker Jamie George’s tenure as captain will start in Rome, whereas Tommy Freeman is rewarded for his spectacular type in Northampton Saints’ cost to the highest of the Premiership desk with a beginning berth on the wing.
“After an excellent week’s preparation in Girona, we look forward to the challenge of playing Italy in Rome,” stated Borthwick.
“The Azzurri are a harmful group, with some proficient ball carriers and gamers who like to discover area.
“We’ll want to make good selections, preserve our self-discipline, and preserve a degree of depth to our efficiency from the primary whistle to the final.”
Speaking in regards to the inclusion of 5 uncapped gamers within the matchday 23, Borthwick added: “Winning a primary cap in your nation is all the time a really big day.
“We’re delighted for the debutants who’ve all labored extremely arduous to get themselves chosen within the 23 to face Italy. I do know Saturday shall be a really proud second for the gamers and their households.
“My message to them this week has been to be themselves, to grasp their alternative, and to play with the strengths and abilities that deservedly received them chosen to a powerful Six Nations squad.”
New Azzurri head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his first aspect since he changed Kieran Crowley.
Lock Federico Ruzza is about to win his 50th cap, whereas the Garbisi brothers – fly-half Paolo and scrum-half Alessandro – make their first begin collectively in a Test match.
Flanker Michele Lamaro is the one captain to retain the position from final 12 months’s Six Nations whereas Tommaso Menoncello returns to the aspect at inside centre after lacking the World Cup with damage.
Italy claimed the Wooden Spoon final 12 months and have by no means overwhelmed England, however former Argentina fly-half Quesada says his gamers have rapidly tailored to the introduction of his “new methodologies”.
The new faces of England’s new period
Five England debuts could possibly be made within the Eternal City. Only as soon as has that quantity been surpassed, when seven gamers gained their first cap against Scotland in 2012.
It is a transparent indication of a brand new period.
Courtney Lawes, Mako Vunipola, Ben Youngs and Jonny May have retired from worldwide obligation, whereas a number of gamers who ply their commerce abroad are ineligible for choice and former captain Owen Farrell is taking a break from Test rugby and will transfer to France on the finish of the season.
There continues to be loads of expertise within the type of George, his vice-captain Ford, veteran prop Joe Marler, lock Maro Itoje and wing Elliot Daly.
But they’re supported by a mix of younger expertise. Dingwall has been concerned in 10 earlier England camps and lastly earns a cap with Farrell and Manu Tuilagi not concerned, whereas 26-year-old New-Zealand born flanker Roots has performed his means into the aspect after a breakout marketing campaign for Exeter Chiefs.
Borthwick has picked gamers in type and 21-year-old fly-half Fin Smith advantages from his spectacular run for Northampton with a spot on the bench.
The proficient Feyi-Waboso, 21, can also be among the many replacements, together with the highly effective ball carrying of 20-year-old flanker Cunningham-South.
Line-ups
Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Iachizzi, Zuliani, Varney, Pani
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso
Readers’ group
On Monday we requested in your England beginning XV to face Italy.
In the forwards, Ellis Genge and Ben Curry differ to Borthwick’s beginning aspect, with Smith and Feyi-Waboso within the backs the one different modifications.
Smith (42.71%) edged out Ford (40.13%) for the quantity 10 shirt. Captain George (92.91%) obtained probably the most votes to begin, adopted by Itoje (78.05%) and Freddie Steward (71.41%).
Readers’ beginning England XV: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; Smith, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, B Curry, Underhill, Earl.
