The 2024 Six Nations is just around the corner and so starts the four-year cycle for all teams. For England and Steve Borthwick, the foundations have been laid by an encouraging semi-final performance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Charlie Inglefield asks what might this team look like through the eyes of Borthwick? And whether revolution or evolution will be his approach. Either way, he has something to work on and some tricky selection calls to make. Let us know what you think about our proposed England starting fifteen for the 2024 Six Nations.
England rugby’s possible starting team for 2024 Six Nations
15. Freddie Steward
The experiment of Marcus Smith during the World Cup was an exciting one but realistically Smith is a fly-half. Steward was magnificent when ruling the skies against the Springboks in the semi-final and deserves to keep his place. He has much to work on with his pace and running lines but Steward has the talent and the attitude to develop further. Watch out for Exeter’s Josh Hodge, once the latter is back from injury.
14. Henry Arundell
Arundell is simply too good to leave out even though he is at Racing for the forseeable future. Arundell forlornly chasing kicks against Argentina in the 3rd place play-off was a perfect summary of where England’s attack is currently at. England have to find a way to unlock their attack and Arundell’s talent.
13. Ollie Lawrence
Lawrence has become increasingly comfortable on the international stage. Now is the perfect time to give him an extended run in the team. Lawrence was immense in the first half against Bristol last weekend and is nailed on to start under Borthwick. Leicester’s Dan Kelly, the great Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant (once he has done his sabbatical in Paris) remain in contention.
12. Henry Slade
Slade was controversially left out out the World Cup but has started this season with Exeter in cracking form. England’s attack is very much a work in progress and Slade’s name should be in the mix as a result. So much depends on whether Borthwick sticks with Farrell at fly-half or gives Smith his chance. It is likely to be Farrell of course. Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson is a possible back-up.
11. Louis Lynagh
There is a changing of the guard happening on the wings. Jonny May has retired, Elliot Daly isn’t getting any younger and England are in need of change. Louis Lynagh has had a tough 18 months with a knee injury but is back and firing again for Harlequins. If Lynagh can get his pace back to where it was he could add some x-factor on the wing. His offloading and support lines are top-class and England need a new face. Sale’s Arron Reed has serious wheels and Lynagh’s partner in crime at Quins, Cadan Murley must be in consideration as well.
10. Marcus Smith
Fly-half is the key position that Borthwick needs to make a decision about for the 2024 Six Nations. It is highly likely that Farrell will continue as fly-half and captain. Understandably so. However, if England are to genuinely challenge for titles their attack has to improve. Marcus Smith is the man who can get England’s backline moving. Yes, England may suffer in the short-term but the possibilities are exciting. It won’t happen but it is nice to think on what could be.
9. Alex Mitchell
Mitchell came of age on the international stage against the Springboks and deserves his starting spot. Hopefully, England will bring out Mitchell’s club running game in time for the 2024 Six Nations. It is a changing of the guard at scrum-half with Jack van Poortvliet coming back from surgery and Sale’s Raffi Quirke hopefully also over his injury woes. With the aforementioned coming back from injury, we believe that Danny Care remains the deputy to Mitchell.
1. Ellis Genge
Genge was not quite the force England fans had hoped for during the World Cup. That said England need Genge more than ever with Joe Marler likely to retire from test duty. Genge’s running game looks back to something like it’s best but the dark arts of his scrummaging need fine tuning. Still world class though and a great leader in the squad.
2. Jamie George
Theo Dan’s time is coming but George is one of the first names on the team sheet. George’s experience is crucial for England over the next couple of seasons and he is still England’s best hooker. Dan’s rise is partly down to George’s tutelage and England are fortunate to have these two playing together for club and country.
3. Will Stuart
The tighthead is a problem area for England. Kyle Sinckler had a brutal outing off the bench in the semi-final and Dan Cole is all but retired. Enter the second coming of Will Stuart. He had an inconsistent 2023 season culminating in a bit-part role in the World Cup. Stuart has the game to be England’s premier tighthead but he needs to tidy up his discipline in open play and improve his scrummaging.
READ MORE: England scraped through in a thrilling quarter-final
4. Maro Itoje
Itoje rescued his inconsistent form with an almighty performance against South Africa in the semi-final. Itoje’s partnership with George Martin looks really good for England. Ollie Chessum will be fighting Martin for a second-row place or blindside for that matter. Itoje is going to be one of the experienced heads leading into the 2027 World Cup.
5. George Martin
Martin is one of the big success stories from England’s World Cup campaign. Martin played the role of enforcer to perfection against the Springboks and must be given a run beside Itoje in the second row. His versatility in the backrow will also benefit England and Borthwick. Chessum is the back-up.
6. Ben Earl
The encouraging news of Earl’s knee injury means that England’s best player this year should be back in time for the Six Nations. Earl starts at blindside to accommodate the absence of Tom Curry and to bring a big body in at number 8. Earl is now entering into the world class category and he will primed and fresh after an injury lay-off.
7. Sam Underhill
It is a big blow for Sale and England that Tom Curry is out for the season with a serious hip injury. However, Underhill has been in a rich vein of form and will bring his physicality to the table in Curry’s absence. Underhill starts with some very useful back-up in the form of Tom Pearson and Ben Curry.
8. Tom Willis
Curry’s absence means that England need to rejig the backrow and preferably have a ball carrier at number 8. Alex Dombrandt’s form has been excellent for Quins this season but he was totally schooled by Saracens recently which may have dimmed his light. Willis has the credentials to make an impact at international level having played well for Saracens since his move over the summer from Bordeaux. Lewis Ludlam must be in the frame as well.
READ MORE: England Rugby duo of Alex Mitchell and George Martin could get them to the top
Possible 2024 Six Nations replacements:
- Theo Dan – fast becoming a premier hooker and will only get better under the guidance of George
- Bevan Rodd – one of the best props in the loose and excellent over the ball. However, his scrummaging needs work
- Kyle Sinckler – make or break 12 months coming up for Sinckler. His experience gets him in now that Cole is close to retirement
- Lewis Ludlam– unlucky not to start more for England in the World Cup and his energy is a must off the bench
- Tom Pearson – playing well for Northampton and such a dynamic force – his time is coming
- Danny Care – with Jack van Poortvliet and Raffi Quirke injured, Care continues as Mitchell’s back-up
- Owen Farrell – an already annoying debate – any one of George Ford, Owen Farrell or Marcus Smith. Over to you Borther’s!
- Anthony Watson – not yet 30 and if he can stay injury-free Watson still offers so much covering the back three.
Photo Credit: August Schwerdfeger of the Aerial view of Twickenham Stadium and Twickenham Stoop from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 DEED
