Loose forward Tom Curry will captain England in their opening Six Nations clash with Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

With Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes both missing Saturday’s match, Curry has taken over the captaincy. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge and Henry Slade will serve as vice-captains.

As expected, Marcus Smith will start at flyhalf, while Slade takes over from Farrell at inside centre in a midfield partnership with Elliot Daly.

Joe Marchant has returned to the side after completing Covid-19 isolation protocols at left wing, with Max Malins on the right wing and Freddie Steward at fullback.

In the pack, Nick Isiekwe forms the second-row pair with Maro Itoje, while Genge, Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler pack down in the front row.

Lewis Ludlam is at blindside flank and Sam Simmonds is the No 8.

Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford and Jack Nowell are named as substitutes.

England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Joe Marchant, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Tom Curry (c), 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Jack Nowell.

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