BORTHWICK EXCITED TO UNLEASH HENRY

STEVE BORTHWICK insists Henry Arundell is ready for the world’s No.1 side after selecting him in a team out to restore England’s battered reputation.

The London Irish wing, below, will make his full international debut after just six Premiership starts against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland tomorrow.

Borthwick knows a trip to the Aviva Stadium will be a cauldron of emotion but says Arundell, 20, has what it takes to not only survive but flourish.

“I’m excited to see Henry from the start of the game and the intention is to make sure he gets the ball, to use to his strengths,” said the England head coach.

“He is a young man who wants to be in the team from the start and now I think is the right time.”

Borthwick’s response to England’s record home defeat by France last time out is to pick all but four of the same team and tell them to have another go.

“We weren’t good enough and that has been made incredibly clear,” he added. “We want to compete for wins in every Test match and we were a long way short of where we need to be. We need to be much better this week.”

Ollie Chessum misses out through a significant ankle dislocation, which requires surgery and leaves the lock in a race against time to make the World Cup.

Borthwick has otherwise named the same forward pack, with David Ribbans in for the injured Chessum, but it is in the back line where he has wielded the axe.

Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi replace fly-half Marcus Smith and injured centre Ollie Lawrence respectively, while Arundell comes in for Max Malins.

Borthwick said: “I have witnessed an England squad determined to make amends.”

ENGLAND: Steward; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ribbans, Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Mitchell, Smith, Marchant.