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England Unveils Squad for Calcutta Cup Showdown with Scotland

By Martin Gray
February 20, 2025

England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed his match-day squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland, set for Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Allianz Stadium in London. The lineup features just one change to the starting XV that secured a narrow 26-25 victory over France earlier in the tournament.

The sole alteration sees Ollie Chessum stepping into the second row alongside Maro Itoje, replacing George Martin, who has been ruled out with a knee injury sustained in training. Chessum, earning his first start in nearly a year, brings fresh energy to the pack, while Ted Hill has been called up to the bench to cover Martin’s absence. The backline remains unchanged, with Marcus Smith continuing at full-back and Fin Smith holding the fly-half position, a combination that impressed in the France match. Borthwick has also confirmed Marcus Smith will resume goal-kicking duties, despite a shaky performance from the tee against France, signaling confidence in the Harlequins star.

The front row is anchored by Joe Marler, Jamie George, and Dan Cole, with Ellis Genge, Theo Dan, and Will Stuart among the replacements. The back row trio of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl remains intact, poised to challenge Scotland’s physicality. In the backs, Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade form the midfield partnership, while wings Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso—despite recent injury concerns—round out the starting XV.

Borthwick’s selection reflects a blend of continuity and resilience as England aim to end a four-match losing streak against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup, a fixture they last won in 2020. With a strong bench including Alex Dombrandt and George Furbank, the team is primed for a fierce contest. Full squad details are available on the Six Nations website, and fans are eager to see if England can reclaim the coveted trophy on home soil.

Starting lineup