Six Nations 2026: England v Wales – Borthwick’s big call for the opener

With England’s stock hit by injuries to Will Stewart, Finn Baxter and Asher Opoku-Fordjour, England’s strongest duo featuring Ellis Genge and Joe Hayes starts.

While England have made it four straight wins in the autumn with the help of a ‘Pom Squad’ of experienced substitutes, there is less testing ability on the bench in this inaugural tournament.

Bevan Rudd, who has played two Tests in the last two years, and Trevor Davison, who has three caps, are the supporting substitutes.

Jay Pepper, Sam Underhill and Ben Earl – the back-row line-up of England’s toughest three autumn internationals – start together again.

As expected, Alex Mitchell and George Ford re-established their midfield partnership with Henry Pollock, who played all five of his matches off the bench, and Tom Curry among the substitutes once again.

Sale winger Tom Roebuck, who has not played since suffering a toe injury in a win over New Zealand in November, was left out of the matchday squad and given another week to adapt to the intensity of the match.