Itoje gets a new partner as England reveal team for Scotland clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have made just one change to their starting side for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Scotland at Twickenham.

Ollie Chessum will partner England captain Maro Itoje in the second row in a direct swap for George Martin, who has been managing a knee problem and drops to the bench for the Calcutta Cup clash in a team announced by coach Steve Borthwick on Tuesday.

It will be Chessum’s first start for England since last year’s Six Nations, having been ruled out of the subsequent tour of Japan and New Zealand and the November internationals by shoulder and knee injuries.

But the 24-year-impressed off the bench in England’s opening defeat by champions Ireland and their stunning 26-25 win at home to France last time out.

Scotland are on a four-game winning streak against England, although they were well-beaten 18-32 by Ireland at Murrayfield in the second round.

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland coach, is due to name his side on Thursday.

England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 George Martin, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly.

Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 16.45 (16.45 GMT)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)