Jamie George will captain England against Wales in the opening game of their 2026 Six Nations campaign, with Maro Itoje on the bench.
Itoje is named amongst the replacements after missing the start of England’s preparations in Girona, Spain to attend the funeral of his mother Florence in Nigeria.
The 31-year-old has played the full 80 minutes in every single Six Nations match since 2020 and will be key once again as the English look to start their title charge with a bonus-point victory.
The forwards
Saracens hooker George leads the side at hooker, having previously held the responsibility during the 2024 Six Nations campaign.
Bristol Bear Ellis Genge and Leicester Tiger Joe Heyes are named at tightside and openside prop, respectively.
Tiger Ollie Chessum and Northampton Saint Alex Coles form the second row, with 39 international caps between the two.
Experienced Sam Underhill, with 45 caps wearing the rose, provides continuity alongside his seven-cap Bath team-mate Guy Pepper at six and seven.
Ben Earl completes the forwards at number eight, with entertainer Henry Pollock named on the bench.
The ‘Pom Squad’ returns with a 6-2 forwards split on the bench.
Sale Sharks’ Luke Cowan-Dickie and Bevan Rodd are joined by Saint Trevor Davison in the front row replacements, and Tom Curry is an option at flanker.
The absence of Will Stuart, Asher Opoko-Fordjour and Fin Baxter in the front row due to injury is noticeable, with questions remaining over how strong the current charge is.
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The backs
Freddie Steward starts at full-back, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso lining up on the right wing as his strong form at the Exeter Chiefs is rewarded.
Bath wing Henry Arundell starts for the first time at 11 since the 2023 Rugby World Cup and his move back to the Premiership from French side Racing 92.
Saints Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall start in the centres, but Bath’s Max Ojomoh misses out despite impressing against Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series.
Ollie Lawrence, a mainstay at 13, is still recovering from a knee injury.
Alex Mitchell and George Ford make up the halves pair, with Ben Spencer the replacement scrum-half.
Marcus Smith is the last name in the 23 and one of just two backs on the bench.
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Squad unity
England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, predicted that Itoje would have a huge impact on the game in spite of his grief.
Borthwick said: “I think he is going to have a massive impact.
“I also know the crowd, when Maro comes to the touchline, will show their appreciation and how much they care for him and his family with a big roar.”
Club and national team-mate George, meanwhile, applauded Itoje’s strength through tough times, saying: “The way he has carried himself over the last few months has been incredibly impressive.
“The important thing is that he’s been given enough space to mourn and grieve.
“The way he has kept showing up and put the team first in a lot of ways has been incredible.
“I know he’ll be wanting to do his family proud over the next short period of time. We’re all very proud of him and will be there for him.”
SportJustSport writers