Former England rugby star Chris Ashton has backed Steve Borthwick’s team selection for England’s trip to Italy in their first 2024 Six Nations game.
England will meet Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon (shown live on DAZN in Canada and on Peacock in the US) and will be determined to make a bright start to their campaign.
Depending on Friday night’s match between Ireland and France in Marseille, England will be playing catch-up with one of their oldest rivals.
Speaking to Gambling Zone, Ashton said: “(In the absence of Marcus Smith) George (Ford) will be likely to take over the 10 shirt with the experience he has for club and country under Steve and the success George has had England, he is a test match player made for the environment and always guides the team exceptionally well.”
Discussing Henry Slade and Fraser Dingwall in the starting team, he added: “He (Dingwall) is probably the only out-and-out twelve that we have got in the camp, and he has done such a good job for his club Northampton this season.
“I think sometimes people think that England need a big physical 12 to ball-carry, but he has been brilliant every single week for his club. Sometimes lads just need the backing for people to realise they can play at this level. I’d like to see him given a chance against Italy. Lawrence’s absence has opened the door for other players.”
He predicted a win for England, saying: “If we’re going off recent form, then I think that England will have far too much for them, even in Rome. I played in Rome once in the snow and it was awful (laughs). It was February and there was half a foot of snow across the pitch – they nearly got us that day. I’d never been so cold in my life! You don’t go to Rome and expect snow!
“I also think that the England lads will go into this game with something to prove because the team aren’t really fancied to win the tournament. Yes, we got to a World Cup semi-final last year. People say it was an easy draw but we still don’t really know what this team is capable of under Steve Borthwick. It is a good opportunity to lay down an early marker.”Live on DAZN: Watch Conor Benn vs. Peter Dobson on February 3. Click here for details .