Six Nations 2024 George Furbank and Ollie Lawrence start for England against Scotlaand

Guinness Six Nations: Scotland v England

England make five changes for their Six Nations match away to Scotland on Saturday as George Furbank starts at full-back, with Freddie Steward dropped from the matchday squad.

Centre Ollie Lawrence is also included after recovering from injury and comes in for Fraser Dingwall, who started England’s win over Wales last time out. Danny Care is at scrum-half in place of the injured Alex Mitchell. And Dan Cole and Ellis Genge are named as the starting props. Bath centre Lawrence missed the first two rounds because of a hip problem, but his inclusion had been expected, in order to provide more power in the midfield.

The selection of Furbank, however, comes as a major surprise.

Steward has been a consistent presence for England in the number 15 shirt since his debut in 2021, but Borthwick has opted for the extra speed and playmaking abilities of Furbank, who has been in terrific form for his club Northampton this season.

Steward is not carrying an injury and was available for selection, with Furbank set to win his seventh cap after making his debut against France in 2020.

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Meanwhile, the 37-year-old Care makes his first Six Nations start in six years, after coming off the bench against Italy and Wales.

“It’s a different approach, but I have done a lot of both [starting and coming off the bench],” Care told the Rugby Union Daily podcast.

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“But an opportunity has come up for myself, and I will give it my all to try and help the team from the start.

“I want to play as many minutes as I can, you never know which minute will be your last.”

England have won their opening two games and head coach Steve Borthwick said: “We’re pleased with the start we’ve made to our Guinness Six Nations campaign but know that a difficult test awaits us in Edinburgh against an in-form Scotland team.

“The atmosphere is always special for any Calcutta Cup match and I’m sure this weekend’s game at Murrayfield will be no different.

“This group of players are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday and to creating some very special memories.” England have lost their last three Calcutta Cup matches, and have not lost four games in a row against Scotland in the Championship since the 1890s.

England: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Lawrence, Daly; Ford, Care; Genge, George (capt), Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Martin, Cunningham-South, Spencer, F Smith, Feyi-Wabosao.

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