Sports
Ollie Chessum given new role as Steve Borthwick reveals England side for Six Nations clash with France
Ollie Chessum will shift position as England head coach Steve Borthwick changes strategy in an attempt to conclude a collapsing Six Nations campaign on a high against title-chasing France.
Chessum, who began on the bench in the historic defeat to Italy, but had started in the second row in the other games this championship, has been moved into the back row and will start in the No 6 jersey.
By having the 25-year-old as a flanker, Borthwick adds heft, carrying power and a lineout option to the back row, while also allowing captain Maro Itoje and the improving Alex Coles to be lock partners once again.
The England coach has preferred a ‘three sevens’ philosophy in the make-up of his back row to this point, with some combination of Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock starting as the flankers either side of Ben Earl – playing as a No 8 but with the profile of a more traditional No 7.
Pepper has been given the nod to start at openside flanker against France, with Underhill and Pollock as options on the bench after Curry suffered a calf injury in the warm-up before the Italy game.
The selection of Chessum is only the second time since the start of 2025 that Borthwick has opted for a “big six”, with the other being Chandler Cunningham-South’s presence in that jersey against the USA last summer.
The coach has resisted the temptation to rip up the entire starting XV once again, having made a record nine changes between the losses to Ireland and Italy, despite not getting the result he would have hoped against the Azzurri – instead watching his side fall to a first ever defeat to the Italians.
England now face the daunting task of trying to beat a wounded France side in Paris to avoid a first-ever one-win campaign in the Six Nations. Les Bleus looked to be cruising towards a grand slam until they ran into a mesmerising Scotland outfit in Edinburgh last week and suffered a 50-40 defeat where the scoreline distinctly flattered Fabien Galthie’s side.
The English backline is unchanged from Rome, given a shot at redemption, meaning Ben Spencer and Fin Smith resume their half-back partnership, Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman will have a chance to build their link-up in the centres and the back three will consist of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly.
Up front, Chessum is the only alteration to the starting XV, so Jamie George starts at hooker once more with Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes flanking him. Two-time British and Irish Lion Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison are the front-row replacements, with Underhill and Marcus Smith in line to win their 50th caps when they come on.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick. “England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
Of the two 50-cappers, Borthwick added: “Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
France will be hoping to bounce back from their Scotland disappointment and can still win the Six Nations title, knowing that a bonus-point win in Le Crunch will be enough to seal the crown.
England XV to face France (Saturday 14 March, 8.10pm GMT): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.