Six Nations 2026: England v Wales - Borthwick's big calls for opener

By a Senior Correspondent, BBC News

England will begin their 2026 Six Nations campaign on Saturday with a selection bombshell, as talismanic captain Maro Itoje has been named on the bench for the opening clash against Wales at Twickenham. The decision marks the first time in nearly seven years that England will start a Six Nations fixture without the iconic lock on the field, a move head coach Steve Borthwick attributes to managing the player's welfare following a recent family bereavement.

The surprising team sheet sees hooker Jamie George, Itoje's Saracens teammate and predecessor as England captain, lead the side from the start. Itoje is expected to assume the captaincy when he enters the fray as an impact substitute.

This monumental call comes after Itoje travelled to Nigeria for the funeral of his mother, Florence, causing him to miss the beginning of England's pre-tournament training camp in Girona, Spain.

A Compassionate Call

Head coach Steve Borthwick has made it clear the decision was based on player welfare and empathy, rather than form or tactics.

Itoje, recently appointed captain for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour, has spoken publicly about the immense personal challenge he has faced. "It's been difficult, to be honest," the 31-year-old told The Sunday Times of his grief. "It's been challenging on both the professional and personal front. It's just the paradox of life."

Borthwick reinforced the supportive environment within the camp.

• Coach's Rationale: "We all feel for Maro and his family after the very sad loss of his mum," Borthwick explained to Rugby Union Weekly. "We made the decision for this game that it's best for him to start from the bench."
• Managing a Key Asset: The move is designed to ease Itoje back into the high-intensity environment of Test rugby while acknowledging the emotional toll of recent events.
• Anticipated Impact: Borthwick is banking on Itoje making a significant contribution as a "finisher." He added, "I think he is going to have a massive impact. I also know the crowd, when Maro comes to the touchline, will show their appreciation and how much they care for him and his family with a big roar."

The squad's support for their captain is palpable. Jamie George, who himself endured the difficulty of his mother's illness during the 2024 Six Nations, has been a vocal advocate for rallying around Itoje upon his return.

The End of an Era?

Itoje's absence from the starting XV breaks one of modern rugby's most remarkable streaks of durability and consistency. His presence has been a cornerstone of the England pack for the better part of a decade.

• An Unbroken Run: Since the start of the 2020 Six Nations, Itoje had started 30 consecutive matches for England in the tournament.
• The Iron Man: In an even more staggering display of endurance, he played every single minute of those 30 games, a total of 2,400 minutes of elite-level rugby without substitution.
• Recent Precedent: While this is a first for the Six Nations, Itoje did feature from the bench during England's autumn international victory over Fiji, suggesting Borthwick is not entirely averse to using his star lock in an impact role.

The decision to start him on the bench against a fierce rival like Wales, however, elevates the significance of this selection far beyond a routine squad rotation.

Opportunity Knocks for a New-Look Engine Room

Itoje's move to the bench creates a significant opportunity for Northampton Saints' Alex Coles, who will earn a coveted start in the second row.

Coles will partner with Ollie Chessum, a fellow British and Irish Lion, forming a new-look lock pairing tasked with confronting the notoriously physical Welsh pack. This combination will be under immediate and intense pressure to secure set-piece dominance and match the physicality that Itoje so consistently provides from the opening whistle.

• Coles' Big Test: For Alex Coles, this represents the biggest match of his international career. His performance will be scrutinised as a measure of England's depth in a crucial position.
• Chessum's Leadership: As the senior lock in the starting partnership, much will be expected of Ollie Chessum to lead the lineout and set the tone in the tight exchanges.
• George's Dual Role: Jamie George will not only carry the burden of captaincy but will also be responsible for ensuring the lineout functions seamlessly with a new primary partnership.

Implications for the Welsh Encounter

Borthwick's selection strategy transforms the tactical dynamic of Saturday's highly anticipated opener.

England will be without their primary defensive leader and breakdown menace for the opening period. Wales will likely look to exploit his absence, testing the new second-row pairing and aiming to build an early lead.

However, the strategy also presents a formidable challenge for Wales in the final quarter. The prospect of a fresh, world-class operator like Maro Itoje being unleashed against tiring bodies in the final 25-30 minutes is a powerful weapon. His ability to win turnovers, disrupt possession, and bring immense energy could be decisive in a tight contest.

The focus now shifts to Twickenham. Borthwick has made a bold, compassionate, and calculated gamble. The initial test will be how his starting XV copes without their talisman. The ultimate test, for England's title aspirations, will be whether this unconventional approach translates into a crucial opening-round victory against their oldest rivals.