Six Nations: Maro Itoje returns to captain England for Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield
Maro Itoje and Luke Cowan-Dickie drafted into England starting line-up for 144th Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Murrayfield; Steve Borthwick seeks first win over Scotland in Edinburgh - and England's first since 2020
Tuesday 10 February 2026 15:33, UK
Maro Itoje returns to captain England in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland.
Itoje began Saturday's 48-7 victory over Wales on the bench following the recent death of his mother, but he has been recalled to the starting XV in one of two changes made by Steve Borthwick ahead of the trip to Murrayfield.
The England skipper, who replaces Alex Coles at second row, came on as a 50th‑minute substitute at Allianz Stadium, only to be sin‑binned almost immediately due to repeated infringements by his team.
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Jamie George, who deputised as captain in Itoje's absence, makes way for Luke Cowan‑Dickie at hooker in the other change.
Northampton fly‑half Fin Smith, who missed the visit of Wales due to a calf problem, has recovered and takes Marcus Smith's place on the bench, but the trip to Murrayfield comes too soon for Ollie Lawrence, despite the Bath centre returning to training after knee trouble.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's continued absence with a hamstring injury means Henry Arundell, fresh from his hat-trick against Wales, and Tom Roebuck retain their places on the wing.
England, who broke Scotland's four-year stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup with a 16-15 victory at Twickenham last February, seek their first win in Edinburgh since 2020.
Speaking ahead of the 144th meeting with Scotland, Borthwick - who has yet to win at Murrayfield as England head coach - said: "Playing Scotland at Murrayfield is always a fantastic occasion and a challenge we are relishing.
"We made a pleasing start to the Championship, but we understand that we must continue to raise our standards. The squad has trained with focus and determination this week, and we're excited for the opportunity to test ourselves again on Saturday."
England team to face Scotland
Starting XV: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith.
England's 2026 Six Nations fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
- England 48-7 Wales (Saturday February 7) - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- vs Scotland (Saturday February 14) - Murrayfield (4.40pm)
- vs Ireland (Saturday February 21) - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (2.10pm)
- vs Italy (Saturday March 7) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome (4.40pm)
- vs France (Saturday March 14) - Stade de France, Paris (8.10pm)
