Chessum starts on flank in only change for England against France

Ollie Chessum will start at blindside flanker for England in their final Six Nations game against France in Paris on Saturday in the only change to the team beaten by Italy last weekend as coach Steve Borthwick resisted another major overhaul.

Chessum brings bulk and a lineout option, with Sam Underhill, who was a last-minute call-up against Italy when Tom Curry injured a calf in the warmup, dropping to the bench.

Underhill and fellow replacement Marcus Smith are in line to win their 50th caps in the match, when a bonus-point French victory would win them the title for the second year in a row.

Should England lose to make it four defeats in five games, it would represent their worst ever performance in the Six Nations.

The final round 🌹

Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face France this Saturday.@O2 | #WearTheRose — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 10, 2026

ENGLAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE

15–Elliot Daly, 14–Tom Roebuck, 13–Tommy Freeman, 12–Seb Atkinson, 11–Cadan Murley, 10–Fin Smith, 9–Ben Spencer, 8–Ben Earl, 7–Guy Pepper, 6–Ollie Chessum, 5–Alex Coles, 4–Maro Itoje, 3–Joe Heyes, 2–Jamie George, 1–Ellis Genge.

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.