England recall forward trio for Grand Slam decider against France
England head coach Steve Borthwick has recalled three forwards to his starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations finale against France at Twickenham. The match is the championship-defining fixture and could deliver England the Grand Slam.
Loosehead prop Joe Marler, hooker Jamie George and number eight Ben Earl all return after injury. The three trained without restriction during the two-week fallow period and came through the team's last full contact session on Friday morning with no setbacks.
Speaking at the official squad announcement, Borthwick said: "This is a match that matters for English rugby. We want our most experienced and most physical group on the pitch." Asked about playing minutes for the three returnees, he said decisions would be made "as the match demands."
France arrive at Twickenham having recovered from their narrow defeat in Bordeaux a fortnight ago, where they edged past Wales. Fabien Galthié's side will be led by scrum-half Antoine Dupont and winger Damian Penaud. Dupont has fully recovered from the shoulder knock he picked up earlier in the campaign.
The last four meetings between the two sides in the Six Nations have all been decided by fewer than seven points. England lost 33-31 at the Stade de France a year ago and several pundits have framed Saturday as the tightest match-up in this fixture in six seasons.
Borthwick keeps Marcus Smith at fly-half. The number ten will be paired with Henry Slade at inside centre. Freddie Steward continues at full-back. Borthwick confirmed Owen Farrell on the bench and said the playmaker had been "prepared for a final" since being recalled to the squad two weeks earlier.
The build-up has prompted special policing arrangements around the ground. Officers will close roads near Twickenham station three hours before kick-off. The 81,000-seat stadium sold out a month in advance.
Among other selection details, Northampton flanker Henry Pollock has been promoted to the matchday 23 and is expected to come off the bench. Pollock's Premiership form has been one of the standout stories of the English season.
Victory would give England their 13th Six Nations Grand Slam. France would walk away with their longest-pursued road win at Twickenham of the last decade. Crowds began gathering near the ground in the morning, and ticket-resale platforms registered prices well above face value through Friday night.
Kick-off is at 4.45pm UK time. The match is shown live on BBC One in the United Kingdom and on ITVX's digital service. The winners take the Six Nations title and, with it, the Calcutta Cup in what is shaping up to be the most closely watched edition of the fixture in recent memory.