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Itoje on bench for England against Wales
- Steve Borthwick named Maro Itoje on England's bench for the Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday, with Jamie George starting as captain and handing the armband to Itoje if he enters.
- After reporting late to Girona training camp following his mother’s funeral in Nigeria, Steve Borthwick, England head coach, named the team early on Monday, 02/02/2026.
- Borthwick set his backline with Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall, and Henry Arundell starts on the wing, with six of England's eight substitutes being forwards, five Lions.
- England go into the match on an 11-match winning run and are favourites this year, while Wales remain winless in Six Nations since 2023 and will rely on a kicking game, Borthwick said.
- Having missed part of a Six Nations match for the first time in 30 games, Itoje's selection follows grieving his mother, Florence, who died last year, as England begin their title bid.
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Leaning Left10Leaning Right3Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 38%
C 50%
12%
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