George boost for England as Borthwick trims squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has trimmed his squad down to 29 players ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Borthwick initially named a squad of 36 players on Sunday, but a few of those players were deemed surplus to requirements.

Sale lock Jonny Hill and Toulouse loose forward Jack Willis are the two big-name casualties.

The two other forwards cut from the squad are tighthead prop Joe Heyes and loosehead prop Bevan Rodd.

In the backs, Guy Porter, a call-up on Monday after midfielder Dan Kelly got injured in training, scrumhalf Alex Mitchell and wing Cadan Murley were released back to their clubs.

It means that Borthwick has retained 16 forwards and 13 backs ahead of the Calcutta Cup showdown, including the uncapped trio of hooker Jack Walker, flyhalf Fin Smith and winger Ollie Hassell-Collins.

The retention of hooker Jamie George in the squad will be a relief to Borthwick as the hooker was recently concussed when playing for Saracens and missed some of the England preparation last week.

England defence coach Kevin Sinfield was bullish about George's prospects on Tuesday.

"He's working through the protocols and we expect him to be available for selection," he said. "He's thrown today [Tuesday], and it's a gradual build-up through the protocols, so at the minute he's on track to be available."

England squad:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker

Backs: Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Additional Sources: @RugbyPass & AFP