Coach leaves Tuilagi out

LONDON - Owen Farrell and Joe Marchant will fill England’s midfield with Marcus Smith at flyhalf in their Six Nations opener against Scotland tomorrow as Manu Tuilagi was omitted from the matchday squad announced by Steve Borthwick yesterday.

When fit, Tuilagi has been one of the first names on the team sheet since his debut in 2011 but he has struggled to show his usual impact at Sale this season, opening the door for the return of Marchant.

The centre is due to leave Harlequins to join Stade Francais next season and so will not be eligible for England after the World Cup but new coach Borthwick’s hand was forced somewhat by injuries to Henry Slade, Elliot Daly and Dan Kelly.

The only time Smith, Farrell and Marchant have played together for England was in the 30-28 defeat to Australia in the first of a three-test series in Perth in July 2022 – after which

Marchant was dropped and subsequently overlooked by former coach Eddie Jones.

Max Malins, another player recalled after being discarded by Jones despite topping the Premiership try-scoring charts last season, starts on the right wing.

London Irish’s Ollie Hassell-Collins will make his international debut on the left. Freddie Steward is at fullback, with Jack van Poortvliet starting at scrumhalf ahead of Leicester team mate Ben Youngs.

In the back row Ben Curry will make his first England start, after a replacement appearance in 2021 alongside Lewis Ludlam, with Alex Dombrandt at Number Eight. Prop Dan Cole, whose last appearance was in the 2019 World Cup final defeat to South Africa, is on the bench.

“Marcus and Owen is the right combination for this game and Joe Marchant at 13 works really well with Marcus,” Borthwick said.