Chessum replaces Underhill at flank for England
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Chessum replaces Underhill at flank for England
England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team to play France at Stade de France on Saturday 14 March (kick-off 8.10pm GMT, live on ITV1).
Maro Itoje will captain a side with just one change to the starting XV that faced Italy in Rome last weekend, with Ollie Chessum coming in at blindside flanker.
Saturday’s game, which marks the 120-year anniversary of England and France’s historic rivalry, also sees Sam Underhill and Marcus Smith set to win their 50th caps for England from the bench. Underhill made his debut against Argentina in 2017, while Smith first represented England in 2021 against the United States.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick.
“England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
On Underhill and Smith’s milestones, Borthwick commented:
“Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
FRANCE v ENGLAND
Saturday 14 March 2026
Stade de France
Kick-off: 8.10pm GMT
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 75 caps)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 26 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 5 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 79 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 109 caps) – vice-captain
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 101 caps) – captain
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
7. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 50 caps)
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 57 caps)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 21 caps)
20. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 49 caps)
Maro Itoje will captain a side with just one change to the starting XV that faced Italy in Rome last weekend, with Ollie Chessum coming in at blindside flanker.
Saturday’s game, which marks the 120-year anniversary of England and France’s historic rivalry, also sees Sam Underhill and Marcus Smith set to win their 50th caps for England from the bench. Underhill made his debut against Argentina in 2017, while Smith first represented England in 2021 against the United States.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick.
“England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
On Underhill and Smith’s milestones, Borthwick commented:
“Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
FRANCE v ENGLAND
Saturday 14 March 2026
Stade de France
Kick-off: 8.10pm GMT
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 75 caps)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 26 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 5 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 79 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 109 caps) – vice-captain
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 101 caps) – captain
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
7. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 50 caps)
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 57 caps)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 21 caps)
20. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 49 caps)
