England have now gone four years without a victory against Scotland, and as they prepare to host their old rivals at Twickenham this weekend, Steve Borthwick’s starting XV will be fully focused on breaking that streak. The squad could be bolstered by an unexpected return, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso might be back in contention.
Back in training after injury
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who was initially ruled out of England’s 2025 6 Nations campaign due to a shoulder injury, has made a surprising comeback. The 22-year-old Exeter Chiefs winger was expected to undergo surgery after dislocating his shoulder in a match against Sale on December 21, 2024. However, against all odds, he opted to forgo the operation in a bid to return to action sooner, including for England, and give himself a shot at making the British & Irish Lions squad this summer.
Over the weekend, Feyi-Waboso was at England’s recovery camp at Pennyhill Park alongside teammates Tom Curry and George Martin, both of whom have since rejoined full training. Though he has yet to feature for Exeter since his injury, this return to training marks a key step in his rehabilitation. Head coach Steve Borthwick has publicly backed the player’s decision and hinted that there is a possibility Feyi-Waboso could return before the end of the Six Nations, though the timeline remains unclear. His presence would undoubtedly add another dimension to England’s attack, with his raw pace and power already yielding five tries in ten caps, including a memorable hat-trick against the All Blacks.
Predicted starting XV against Scotland
Feyi-Waboso’s potential return could shake up Steve Borthwick’s plans significantly. Regaining a nailed-on starter would mean tactical adjustments within the backline. Here’s how England’s lineup might shape up:
At full-back, Marcus Smith (Harlequins) and Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) are expected to retain their spots at 15 and 14 respectively after solid performances against France. Smith, while not at his best from the tee, showcased his attacking flair with dynamic counter-attacks, while Freeman scored a crucial try following excellent link-up play with Fin Smith. The major question mark remains over Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), who hasn’t played since December. While his rehabilitation is progressing well, he will need to prove his full fitness to start. If not, Ollie Sleightholme is likely to step in again, as he did against France.
In midfield, Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) and Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby) should continue their strong centre partnership. Their combination worked well against France, and with Fraser Dingwall unavailable, they look set to retain their spots.
At half-back, Northampton duo Fin Smith (22) and Alex Mitchell (25) are expected to control proceedings. Smith impressed in his first start at fly-half, earning Man of the Match honours with his composed game management, a performance that puts pressure on established names like George Ford (absent) and Marcus Smith (who is adapting to a different role). Meanwhile, Mitchell has cemented himself as the starting scrum-half following an injury-hit autumn and has outperformed rivals Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall.
Up front, England’s front row is likely to remain unchanged. Ellis Genge (Saracens), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), and Will Stuart (Bath Rugby) are set to start once again. Genge stood up well against the physical presence of Uini Atonio, while Cowan-Dickie continues to provide reliability at hooker, with Jamie George (Saracens) expected to bring leadership off the bench. Stuart, who is set to earn his 50th cap, remains a key figure at tighthead, with Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) available to provide reinforcement. England’s scrum, while not yet dominant, has shown significant improvement compared to previous years.
In the second row, captain Maro Itoje (Saracens) will be pivotal in both the set-piece and open play. He is likely to be partnered by Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), who has edged ahead of George Martin in the selection race after an impressive showing against France.
England’s back row is an area of real depth, with three standout candidates for the starting jerseys. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) is still recovering from injury and could start on the bench, meaning his twin brother Ben Curry could line up at blindside flanker. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins) is set to continue at openside despite a mixed start to the tournament, though he faces strong competition from the in-form Ben Earl (Saracens). Earl, one of England’s best performers against France, could shift to No. 8, bringing dynamism and physicality on both sides of the ball. This versatility allows Borthwick to tweak his selections based on Scotland’s threats, with Tom Willis (Saracens) also an option to provide impact from the bench.
In terms of replacements, Borthwick is expected to stick with a 6–2 forwards-to-backs split, underlining England’s focus on physicality against a formidable Scotland side.
Predicted replacements:
- Jamie George (Saracens)
- Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
- Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
- George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- Tom Willis (Saracens)
- Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
- Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
