Sports · 2 February 2026
Steve Borthwick predicts big roar as Maro Itoje benched for England
Clément Bucco-Lechat via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
England head coach Steve Borthwick names star lock Maro Itoje on the bench for the pivotal Six Nations opener against Wales. Borthwick explicitly predicts a "big roar" from the Twickenham crowd when Itoje enters the field to impact the game's final stages. This tactical selection sees the experienced forward utilized as a "finisher" rather than a starter, aiming to inject energy and dominance into the pack during the second half.
Reported by Cumnock Chronicle · How we write briefs