Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will all start England’s final match of the 2025 Six Nations, with fellow Saint Henry Pollock set to earn his first senior cap from amongst the replacements against Wales in Cardiff.
Steve Borthwick’s side will lock horns with Wales at Principality Stadium on Saturday 15 March (kick-off 4.45pm, live on BBC One) hoping to put themselves in position to win the Championship for the first time since 2020.
They will need results elsewhere also to go their way if they are to lift the trophy, but England know that a bonus-point win in their 143rd match against Wales is a must if they are to triumph.
Northampton’s half-backs, Mitchell and Smith, are selected at No.9 and No.10 respectively for the fourth successive Test match, but it’s an international first for Freeman as he shifts from the wing to start in the midfield for England – selected at outside centre alongside clubmate Dingwall.
Pollock, 20, is named on the bench and having starred for Saints, England Under-20s and England A in recent months, will earn his first full international cap if he enters the action in Cardiff.
“We’re excited to face Wales at the Principality Stadium this weekend, one of the most iconic venues in rugby,” said Borthwick.
“The atmosphere will be electric, and we know we’ll need to be at our very best to get the result we’re aiming for.”
England side to face Wales
Saturday 15 March 2025
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 4.45pm (GMT)
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 43 caps)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 72 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 22 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 70 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 48 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 60 caps)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 41 caps)
Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 100 caps) – vice-captain
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 10 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 14 caps)
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
21. Tom Willis (Saracens, 5 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
23. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)
