England coach Steve Borthwick has given Test debuts to centre Fraser Dingwall and flanker Ethan Roots for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Italy.
Experienced flyhalf George Ford, a veteran of 91 internationals for England, will start at 10 with Borthwick resisting the temptation to pair Northampton’s Fin Smith alongside clubmate Alex Mitchell in Rome.
Smith is one of three uncapped players on the bench, together with Wales-born wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and back-row Chandler Cunningham-South.
“Winning a first cap for your country is always a very special occasion,” said former England captain Borthwick after announcing his matchday 23 on Thursday.
“My message to them [the debutants] this week has been to be themselves, to grasp their opportunity, and to play with the strengths and skills that deservedly got them selected to a strong Six Nations squad.”
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Mitchell, impressive for English Premiership leaders Northampton this season, has been passed fit following a calf problem.
Ford has been chosen ahead of Fin Smith after fellow flyhalf Marcus Smith was ruled out of the Stadio Olimpico clash with a calf issue.
Saracens hooker Jamie George will captain England after Rugby World Cup skipper Owen Farrell, a teammate at Saracens, opted out of the Six Nations to take a mental health break from international rugby.
Exeter’s New Zealand-born Roots, who played for the Maori All Blacks, will fill the vacancy at blindside flanker left by Courtney Lawes’ retirement from Test duty.
England, who finished third at last year’s World Cup in France, have never lost to Italy.
England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Chandler Cunningham-South, Danny Care, Fin Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Willem Loock/BackpagePix
