Ellis Genge has been named in the England men’s starting XV to play Italy at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, March 9th (kick-off 3pm, live on ITV1).

There are three changes to the starting XV who defeated Scotland in round three of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations with Fraser Dingwall, Elliot Daly, and Jamie George all included.  

George will win his 100th England cap when he takes the field having made his debut in 2015 against France.

The hooker becomes England’s seventh male Test centurion and takes his spot in the front row alongside fellow vice-captain Ellis Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead.

At lock, England captain Maro Itoje is again paired with Ollie Chessum.

The back row sees Tom Curry on the blindside flank, Ben Earl at openside and Tom Willis at No.8 to complete  the pack. 

In the half-backs, Alex Mitchell is at scrum-half with Fin Smith at 10.

In midfield, Dingwall is named at inside centre, earning his first start of the Championship, with Ollie Lawrence at 13.

In the back three, Ollie Sleightholme starts on the left wing, with Tommy Freeman on the right, and Daly comes into the starting line-up at full-back.

On a 6-2 split bench, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Jack van Poortvliet, and Marcus Smith are named as replacements.

“England versus Italy is always an exciting fixture to be part of,” said Borthwick.

“Playing in front of our home supporters at Allianz Stadium is something we’re really looking forward to, and we’re sure it will be a fantastic game of rugby.”

Sunday, March 9th 2025 | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | Kick-off: 3pm (GMT)

15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 71 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 21 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 69 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 99 caps) – vice-captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 48 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 91 caps) – captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 40 caps)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens, 4 caps)

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 8 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
19. Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 13 caps)
21. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 42 caps)