FORM GUIDE

ENGLAND

BACKS

15 FREDDIE STEWARD

Sat an exam for his economics degree in camp on Monday before turning his attention to ‘back-three’s greatest enemy’ Finn Russell.

14 MAX MALINS

First Test start for 11 months. His experience at full back will help provide cover against Russell’s unpredictable kicking.

13 JOE MARCHANT

Praised for his ability to ‘glide’ around the pitch and use his gymnastics background to collect Marcus Smith’s cute kicks.

12 OWEN FARRELL (captain)

Added a new layer of attack to his game at Saracens this season, but questions remain over his effectiveness as a centre.

11 OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS

A 15st 10lb and 6ft 4in powerhouse who is best with the ball in hand. Look out for his painted fingernails!

10 MARCUS SMITH

Will be hoping to implement the Harlequins philosophy of ‘speed over shape’ with England as attack coach Nick Evans teams up with pragmatic boss Steve Borthwick.

9 JACK VAN POORTVLIET

Well versed in Borthwick’s kicking foundations from Leicester, but also has the ability to up the tempo at the ruck.

FORWARDS

1 ELLIS GENGE

England’s most aggressive ball carrier will need to compensate for the lack of size in midfield.

2 JAMIE GEORGE

Absent from training due to concussion but fast-tracked into the team for his wealth of set-piece experience.

3 KYLE SINCKLER

Looking to restore England’s scrummaging reputation after having the worst record in Tier One rugby during the autumn.

4 MARO ITOJE

Came through the Saracens academy when Borthwick was captain. Will be looking to make amends for their defeat by Edinburgh a fortnight ago.

5 OLLIE CHESSUM

His rangy 6ft 7in frame makes him a dangerous line-out threat. His younger brother Lewis captained England’s Under 20s last night.

6 LEWIS LUDLAM

Epitomises the gritty fighting spirit that assistant coach Kevin Sinfield has been trying to instil in their opening camp.

8 ALEX DOMBRANDT

Selecting the dynamic No 8 ahead of Billy Vunipola indicates a shift towards a fast-paced game plan.

7 BEN CURRY

Filling the shoes of his injured brother Tom and will be relieved to see Hamish Watson miss out for Scotland after a shortage of game time.

SCOTLAND: 15 Hogg; 14 Steyn, 13 Jones, 12 Tuipulotu, 11 Van der Merwe;

10 Russell, 9 White; 1 Schoeman,

2 Turner; 3 Nel, 4 R Gray,

5 Gilchrist, 6 Ritchie (capt),

8 M Fagerson, 7 Crosbie.