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Ford starts as Roots and Dingwall make England debuts against Italy / Photo: © AFP
Ford starts as Roots and Dingwall make England debuts against Italy
George Ford will start at fly-half England's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on Saturday after coach Steve Borthwick named a side featuring several new faces.
Ford, a veteran of 91 internationals for England, provides plenty of experience to a youthful back division now missing Owen Farrell, who decided to take a mental health break from international rugby after the team finished third at last year's World Cup in France.
By selecting Ford, former England captain Borthwick resisted the temptation to pair Northampton's Fin Smith alongside club-mate Alex Mitchell.
But he has given Test debuts to centre Fraser Dingwall and flanker Ethan Roots.
Smith is one of three uncapped players on the bench, together with Wales-born wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and back-row Chandler Cunningham-South.
"Winning a first cap for your country is always a very special occasion," said Borthwick after announcing his matchday 23 on Thursday before England travelled from their Girona training base in northern Spain to Italy.
"My message to them (the debutants) this week has been to be themselves, to grasp their opportunity, and to play with the strengths and skills that deservedly got them selected to a strong Six Nations squad."
Mitchell, impressive for English Premiership leaders Northampton this season, has been passed fit following a calf problem.
Ford has been chosen ahead of Fin Smith after fellow fly-half Marcus Smith was ruled out of the Stadio Olimpico clash with a calf issue.
Saracens hooker Jamie George will captain England in the absence of club-mate Farrell, who is set to miss the whole of the Six Nations.
Exeter's New Zealand-born Roots, who played for the Maori All Blacks, will fill the vacancy at blindside flanker left by Courtney Lawes' retirement from Test duty.
England, who finished third at last year's World Cup in France, have never lost to Italy -- a run of 30 straight wins.
Borthwick, however, said: "The Azzurri are a dangerous team, with some talented ball-carriers and players who like to find space.
"We'll need to make good decisions, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity to our performance from the first whistle to the last."
England (15-1)
Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Fraser Dingwall, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ethan Roots; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje; Will Stuart, Jamie George (capt), Joe Marler
Replacements: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Chandler Cunningham-South, Danny Care, Fin Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)
P. Hansen--BTZ
