"Maro Itoje has been restored to the England captaincy for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland while Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker with Steve Borthwick otherwise keeping faith with the side who thrashed Wales last week. Fin Smith replaces namesake Marcus in the No23 jersey but that, Itoje's expected return to the starting lineup and the decision to utilise Jamie George's experience from the bench, aside, Borthwick has challenged the majority of his players to repeat the trick at Murrayfield."
"Ellis Genge was withdrawn at half-time against Wales and sat out training on Monday due to a hamstring niggle but he has been deemed fit to start in Edinburgh. Itoje's return was expected - he was on the bench against Wales after missing the start of England's training camp to attend his late mother's funeral in Nigeria - but it is harsh on Alex Coles, who drops to the bench despite his excellent recent form."
Maro Itoje returns as captain for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland, with Luke Cowan-Dickie starting at hooker and Steve Borthwick largely retaining the Wales-winning starting XV. Fin Smith replaces Marcus Smith as No23 on the bench and Jamie George is selected as an experienced finishing option. Borthwick persists with Tommy Freeman at outside centre despite Ollie Lawrence nearing fitness. Henry Arundell keeps the left wing after a hat-trick against Wales, while Tom Roebuck starts on the right. Ellis Genge overcame a hamstring niggle to start. Alex Coles drops to the bench despite strong recent form, and Ben Earl, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill fill other key positions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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