England's Itoje on Bench for Six Nations Opener

England will experience their first Six Nations match without Maro Itoje on the field for nearly seven years this Saturday, as the captain has been named on the bench for their opening game against Wales.

Itoje missed the beginning of England's tournament preparations in Girona to attend the funeral of his mother, Florence, in Nigeria.

"It's been difficult, to be honest," the 2025 British and Irish Lions captain told the Sunday Times, speaking candidly about his grief.
"It's been challenging on both the professional and personal front. It's just the paradox of life."

Since the start of the 2020 Six Nations, Itoje has been ever-present for England, playing all 80 minutes in 30 consecutive matches. However, the 31-year-old was previously on the bench during England's autumn victory over Fiji.

Hooker Jamie George, Itoje's Saracens teammate and former England captain, will lead the team from the start, with Itoje set to assume the captaincy upon entering the match.

Alex Coles will partner Lions lock Ollie Chessum in the second row.

"We all feel for Maro and his family after the very sad loss of his mum," coach Steve Borthwick told Rugby Union Weekly.
"We made the decision for this game that it's best for him to start from the bench.
"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."

George, who also lost his mother during England's 2024 Six Nations campaign, assured that the squad will support Itoje upon his return.

Borthwick, who earned his first of 57 England caps in 2001, remarked on the strong bonds within the current squad.
"This squad - the players and the management team - is really building a connection and such a care for each other," he said.
"Certainly in my playing career with England, I don't think that was necessarily the case. The understanding they have for each other as people and what happens away from the rugby field has grown. That connection is so vital for us as a team."

Northampton Centres Selected for Midfield

In other selections, Northampton's Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman have secured starting positions in midfield after a competitive selection process.

Dingwall started three of England's four autumn internationals at inside centre but faced competition from Bath's Max Ojomoh, who impressed when covering for the injured Northampton player against Argentina, and the returning Seb Atkinson.

Freeman's transition from specialist winger to outside centre continues. The 24-year-old earned 19 of his 22 caps on the wing but started at 13 for the first time in last March's 68-14 victory over Wales in Cardiff.

He also started at 13 in Northampton's 41-21 win over Bath in December, scoring a hat-trick against Ollie Lawrence, one of his main competitors for the position, strengthening his case for a Test spot.

Lawrence, a regular starter since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has been limited by a knee injury during England's pre-tournament training camp.

Coach Borthwick hopes the backline cohesion that has propelled Northampton to the top of the Premiership will translate to the international level.

Starting lineup:
Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Heyes; Coles, Chessum; Pepper, Underhill, Earl

Replacements:
Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith

Additional Squad Details and Player Updates

Bath wing Henry Arundell will make his first start since the 2023 World Cup, named on the left wing. The 23-year-old scored a try against Australia on his Test debut as a teenager and equaled a record with five tries against Chile at France 2023. He is known for his dangerous broken-field running and has improved under the high ball and in defence since joining Bath this season.

Leicester's Freddie Steward, standing 6ft 5in and an aerial specialist, starts at full-back, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who has seven tries in 13 caps, completing the back three designed to counter Wales' kicking strategy.

Borthwick anticipates Wales, under new coach Steve Tandy, will employ a high volume of contestable kicks, possibly around 50, during the match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

"England versus Wales is always a special occasion in the rugby calendar. It's a fierce rivalry with a long history, and one that brings a huge challenge every time we meet," Borthwick added.
"We expect Wales to bring a kicking game, so we'll need to be accurate in how we respond to that challenge."

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