Henry Pollock set for first England start against Ireland in Six Nations
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
Henry Pollock will make his first England start in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland as one of three changes in personnel to the side defeated by Scotland.
Pollock lines up at number eight as part of a reshaped back row that sees Ben Earl move to openside and Tom Curry come in at blindside, with Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper dropping to the bench.
Pollock, the 21-year-old British and Irish Lion who made his England debut in last year’s Six Nations, has won all seven of his previous caps as a replacement.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has also adjusted his midfield by pausing the experiment of picking Tommy Freeman at outside centre, instead reinstating him on the wing.
Ollie Lawrence fills the number 13 jersey in his first appearance of this year’s Six Nations and Henry Arundell continues on the left wing. Tom Roebuck makes way for Freeman on the right wing.
Arundell starts after avoiding a ban for the two yellow cards he received in the 31-20 mauling at Murrayfield that resulted in him being sent off.
The 23-year-old was guilty of some defensive as well as disciplinary lapses against Scotland but has also run in four tries in the opening two rounds of the Championship.
England continue with a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench, where there is a return for Marcus Smith, who was replaced by Fin Smith in the role of back-up playmaker for the trip to Edinburgh.
Jack van Poortvliet makes his first appearance of the tournament after being preferred ahead of Ben Spencer as replacement scrum-half.
Maro Itoje continues as captain for the Allianz Stadium showdown in what will be his 100th cap, becoming the ninth England men’s player to hit the landmark.
“To reach 100 caps for England is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes about Maro’s consistency and professionalism over many years,” Borthwick said.
“He leads through his actions every day, sets the standard for others and cares deeply about representing his country.
“We’re all incredibly proud of what he has achieved and I know it will be a special day for him and his family.
“We’re expecting a huge contest at Allianz Stadium and we’re excited for it. We know the challenge Ireland will bring and we’ve selected a side that we believe has the right balance to meet it.”
England team: F Steward (Leicester); T Freeman (Northampton), O Lawrence (Bath), F Dingwall (Northampton), H Arundell (Bath); G Ford (Sale), A Mitchell (Northampton); E Genge (Bristol), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), J Heyes (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens, capt), O Chessum (Leicester), T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Saracens), H Pollock (Northampton).
Replacements: J George (Saracens), B Rodd (Sale), T Davison (Northampton), A Coles (Northampton), G Pepper (Bath), S Underhill (Bath), J van Poortvliet (Leicester), M Smith (Harlequins).
