England's Six Nations Squad Revealed: Itoje on Bench as George Captains vs Wales
England's rugby faithful are buzzing as head coach Steve Borthwick unveils the starting XV for the 2024 Six Nations opener against Wales on Saturday at Twickenham. In a selection that blends experience with emerging talent, hooker Jamie George steps up as captain, while star lock Maro Itoje finds himself on the bench. This decision comes amid Itoje's recent personal tragedies and a strategic approach to peaking for later matches.
Team Lineup and Key Selections
The full starting team reads: Freddie Steward at full-back; Emmanuel Feyi-Waboso on the right wing; Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall in the centres; Henry Arundell on the left wing; George Ford at fly-half; and Alex Mitchell at scrum-half. Up front, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), and Will Stuart pack the front row; Harry Collett and Nick Isiekwe in the second row; Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Earl, and Billy Vunipola in the back row.
Replacements include: Jamie Blamire, Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Maro Itoje, Lewis Chessum, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, and Marcus Smith. This bench packs a punch, with Itoje, Curry, and Smith offering explosive impact off the pine.
Jamie George's Captaincy
Saracens hooker Jamie George earns his first start as England captain, a nod to his leadership qualities and reliability in the set-piece. With regular skipper Owen Farrell stepping away from international duties for mental health reasons, George steps into the breach. His experience—over 80 caps and a wealth of club success—makes him a steady hand for this high-stakes opener.
Maro Itoje's Bench Role and Personal Context
One of the biggest talking points is Maro Itoje's omission from the starting lineup. The Saracens lock, a cornerstone of England's pack, has been sidelined by both injury and grief. Itoje missed the early training camp to attend his mother Florence's funeral just before Christmas. In a candid interview with The Times, he revealed the emotional toll: "It would have been very difficult to have played off the back of the news. It gave me time to grieve."
Returning from a knee injury in January, Itoje's bench placement allows him to ease back while preserving his destructive presence for the final quarter, where England often turns the screw. Borthwick's strategy echoes recent trends, avoiding overloading the starters early in the tournament to build towards the climax in Paris.
Emerging Talents and Bold Experiments
The midfield partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman represents a fresh Northampton axis. Both Saints stars bring dynamism: Dingwall's distribution skills and Freeman's world-class finishing, usually seen on the wing. Critics question shifting Freeman inside, but Borthwick sees untapped potential in this combo against Wales' defense.
Henry Arundell's Sensational Return
Excitement builds around Henry Arundell's inclusion on the left wing. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene with a hat-trick against Australia in 2021 but has battled for consistency. After London Irish's collapse forced a move to Racing 92 in France, his international path paused. Now back with Bath on loan, Arundell's nine tries this season have propelled him into the spotlight. His electric pace and finishing could exploit Wales' edges, reminiscent of his five-try haul against Chile at the 2023 World Cup.
With Tommy Freeman trialed centrally, Arundell edges out competitors like Ollie Thorley. Yet, despite his flair, he remains uncapped in knockouts, adding pressure to seize this opportunity.
Freddie Steward's Reliability at Full-Back
Freddie Steward anchors the back three with his aerial prowess and safe hands. The Leicester full-back's selection over alternatives like Elliot Daly underscores England's focus on solidity in a potentially attritional Welsh encounter.
Strategic Insights and Fan Reactions
Borthwick's selections signal a tournament-long plan. England enters the Six Nations as defending runners-up, but with Farrell absent and injuries lingering, this lineup feels developmental. The bench—boasting Itoje's lineout mastery, Curry's breakdown ferocity, and Smith's playmaking—promises a second-half surge. As one fan noted online: "What a bench to call on. Itoje, Curry, and Pollock have real power to blow the opposition away."
Others question Freeman's centre shift: "He's a world-class winger; why experiment?" Yet, with Wales potentially weakened by their own transitional phase under Warren Gatland, England has breathing room. Lucky, perhaps, to face them first, allowing cohesion to grow.
Live reactions flooded BBC Sport's coverage, with correspondent Chris Jones fielding queries on the 23. One viewer highlighted: "Lucky England have Wales up first as this team feels a bit below par vs their full-strength side. They have time to grow towards Paris!"
Six Nations 2024 Preview: England vs Wales
The Six Nations kicks off with this Cardiff clash—no, wait, it's at Twickenham this year, reversing the usual Principality Stadium venue. England seeks redemption after a mixed 2023 campaign, where they topped their pool but faltered late. Wales, rebuilding post-World Cup, relies on young guns like Rio Dyer and Jac Morgan.
Historically, England dominates this fixture, winning the last five. But rugby's unpredictability—coupled with Borthwick's innovations—means nothing's guaranteed. Expect a physical battle up front, with George's leadership key to England's maul and scrum dominance.
As the tournament unfolds across Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, and beyond, England's opener sets the tone. Will Arundell's speed unlock defenses? Can the pack grind down Wales? Tune in Saturday for answers.
This squad embodies resilience: Itoje's return from loss, Arundell's from exile, and George's steady helm. For England, the Six Nations is about evolution—and this team is primed to adapt.