The toughest selection choices Steve Borthwick faces ahead of the Calcutta Cup Clash

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Marcus Smith has returned to form and has been carving up. His oozing of class has resumed as if he was never injured.

His Player of the Match display against Racing in the Champions Cup shows this return to form is just in time for England’s Six Nations Campaign.

Another plus on Smith’s team is that his mentor at Harlequins is now England’s attack coach for this Six Nations period.

However, Owen Farrell was also in seriously good form before his ban. Farrell has returned to fly half and, especially in the absence of Smith, was the star 10 of the premiership and showcased his game management and experience as Saracens cruised past Exeter in Round 14 of the Premiership.

Dan Cole is a welcome addition to the Six Nations Squad, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his 95 England caps, as well as impressive form for Leicester.

Cole’s job is to steady the scrum and bring control to the basics of rugby, that Steve Borthwick has emphasised on.

Kyle Sinckler has worked hard to find himself again following a dip in form at Bristol and at England. However, his ball playing ability is something England will find valuable when against the, what is imagined to be, aggressive Scottish defence.

Joe Heyes is still inexperienced on the international stage, but is proven to be an effective front rower, which Steve Borthwick would have seen every day at Leicester. The prodigy to Dan Cole may find himself again competing with his mentor for the ‘3’ jersey this weekend.

Ben Earl has to, at least, be in the conversation. The premiership’s turnover leader and the form player across the country has finally been recognised by the international set up. Injuries to Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes almost certainly guarantees Earl’s inclusion in the backrow.

England fans will recognise Ben Curry’s name, not least because he is the twin brother of injured England Star, Tom Curry, but because he was supposed to be the Curry brother who went on England Tour to Argentina in 2017. Unfortunately, he got injured so his brother Tom went instead and made a name for himself. Ben has been seriously impressive for Sale, and has been showing his strength and skill consistently, so an England call up was almost certainly on its way.

Lewis Ludlam has been solid for a struggling Northampton side this year, and will be looking to add to his 14 caps this campaign. Having played at number 8, his versatility will impress, and could at least earn him a spot on the bench.

Jack Willis has struggled with injury recently, followed by the demise of Wasps. However, has since found his form with French side, Toulouse. Willis is probably the closest England have got to a breakdown specialist, although, his carrying ability has hugely improved and Willis is now a real threat.

An exciting partnership, ahead of the World Cup, would be Dan Kelly at 12 and Ollie Lawrence at 13.

Both are young and explosive and excellent ball players, but I imagine Borthwick would want 1 experienced campaigner to partner a young player, for guidance and support.

Since Henry Slade has withdrawn due to injury, the mantle of the experienced player lies at Manu Tuilagi’s door. Therefore, the options Borthwick has at his arsenal are:

Manu, Lawrence

Manu, Marchant

Kelly, Manu.

Lawrence has experience at 12 as well as 13, meaning both him and Manu can interchange. However, Kelly (a specialist 12) is a great distributer and is solid in defence and provides something different to the destruction both Tuilagi and Lawrence can cause, plus there is the Leicester link. A question Borthwick will want an answer to is, how to best counter the Scottish partnership which will almost certainly be, Sione Tuipolotu and Chris Harris.

Ollie Hassell-Collins and Cadan Murley are both exciting young talents with a point to prove, if they are to debut against Scotland. Murley is a Jack Nowell-esque player and has gas to burn whereas Hassell-Collins is a rangy but powerful winger who is an excellent finisher.

Max Malins and Joe Marchant are proven operators, however, not a huge wealth of experience on the wing. Malins prefers fullback whereas Marchant plays most of his rugby in the centres. Both are excellent under the high ball, an area England have improved in since the arrival of Freddie Steward.

Tommy Freeman has played well for Northampton and has a handful of England caps to his name. His impressive speed and finishing has earned him a recall to the England set up.

Anthony Watson is back in the mix, despite not making the initial Six Nations squad, Watson’s form has earned him a call up to replace the injured Henry Slade. Watson’s footwork and ability to almost always beat the first defender sets him apart from other wingers in the squad. If it wasn’t for his injury record, Watson would be up there with the best in the World.

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