Sam Underhill Benched: England Stick with Losing Team for France Clash – Six Nations 2026
PARIS – England’s Six Nations campaign continues to spiral, with Steve Borthwick naming an unchanged starting XV for their daunting clash against France in Paris on . The decision comes despite a historic defeat to Italy last weekend, a result that has plunged the team into crisis and raised serious questions about the future of the head coach.
Borthwick opted for continuity, sticking with the 23 players who started in Rome. The only alteration to the lineup sees Ollie Chessum replace Sam Underhill at blindside flanker, with Guy Pepper shifting to openside to accommodate the change. Ben Earl will continue at number 8.
The front row remains unchanged, featuring Ellis Genge, Jamie George, and Joe Heyes. Alex Coles and captain Maro Itoje will once again form the second-row partnership. The backs division also sees no changes, with Elliot Daly at full-back, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley on the wings, Tommy Freeman and Seb Atkinson in the centers, Fin Smith at fly-half, and Ben Spencer at scrum-half.
The replacements are also identical to those used in the defeat to Italy: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Chandler Cunningham-South, Sam Underhill, Henry Pollock, Jack Van Poortvliet, and Marcus Smith. Both Underhill and Smith are in line to reach the milestone of 50 caps for England.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” Borthwick said. “England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
This decision to retain the same squad is a significant vote of confidence from Borthwick, despite mounting pressure following three consecutive Six Nations defeats – losses to Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has publicly backed Borthwick, at least for the summer matches, but the situation remains precarious as England face the prospect of their worst Six Nations campaign in history, potentially finishing with only a single win.
The defeat to Italy, England’s first ever in the fixture after 32 unsuccessful attempts, was particularly damaging. Two second-half yellow cards, issued to Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje, proved pivotal, allowing Italy to capitalize and secure a historic victory. The game highlighted England’s struggles to maintain discipline and close out matches, issues that have plagued them throughout the tournament.
The upcoming match against France presents a formidable challenge. France are expected to contend for the Grand Slam, and a win for them would significantly strengthen their position. For England, it’s a must-win game to avoid a complete collapse and salvage some pride from a disastrous campaign. The pressure is immense, and Borthwick’s future could well depend on the outcome.
The continuity in selection suggests Borthwick believes the current group has the potential to turn things around, despite the recent setbacks. However, it also raises questions about whether a change in personnel might be necessary to spark a much-needed improvement in performance. The lack of rotation could be interpreted as a lack of options, or a firm belief in the existing squad’s ability to respond.
England’s recent form has been a stark contrast to their 12-match winning run prior to the current Six Nations. The team appears to be lacking the cohesion and cutting edge that characterized their earlier successes. The challenge for Borthwick is to rediscover that form and rebuild confidence within the squad before the Rugby World Cup next year.
England Six Nations team v France – round 5
15. Elliot Daly
14. Tom Roebuck
13. Tommy Freeman
12. Seb Atkinson
11. Cadan Murley
10. Fin Smith
9. Ben Spencer
1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George
3. Joe Heyes
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. Alex Coles
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Guy Pepper
8. Ben Earl
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Bevan Rodd
18. Trevor Davison
19. Chandler Cunningham-South
20. Sam Underhill
21. Henry Pollock
22. Jack Van Poortvliet
23. Marcus Smith