Tom HamiltonMar 11, 2026, 01:48 AM
Close• Joined ESPN in 2011
• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018
Multiple Authors
Ollie Chessum will start in the back-row for England. Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images
England have made one change for the match against France on Saturday with Ollie Chessum starting at blindside as they look to avoid their worst ever Six Nations campaign.
Steve Borthwick’s side head to Paris looking to get back to winning ways after suffering three defeats on the bounce. A defeat on Saturday would consign England to four defeats, their worst return in the championship.
Despite the criticism levelled at England after their loss to Italy on Saturday in Rome — the first time they have been defeated by the Azzurri — Borthwick has kept the changes to a minimum.
Tom Curry was injured in the warm-up in Rome and misses the trip to Paris, so Chessum comes into the back-row. He will wear the No.6 jersey, with Guy Pepper at openside in the No. 7 and Ben Earl at No.8. Sam Underhill was the late replacement for Curry on Saturday, but he drops to the bench alongside Chandler Cunningham-South.
England’s backline came in for criticism after their showing in Rome, but Borthwick has kept the faith with the same group. He changed the entire group after their heavy defeat at home to Ireland in Round 3, but has refrained from making further alterations.
Therefore, Ben Spencer will partner Fin Smith at half-back, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley are on the wings, with Elliot Daly at fullback and Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman in the centres.
England XV vs. France: