Farrell among Saracens trio set for first Red Rose starts
ENGLAND’S interim head coach Stuart Lancaster is expected to confirm first international starts for Saracens trio Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Mouritz Botha when he names his team this morning for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Uncapped duo Barritt and 20-year-old Farrell, son of England coach and former dual-code star Andy, are set to form a new-look midfield pairing, while Botha will make his first start in the second row having won his maiden cap against Wales last year.
Lancaster’s options have been restricted by injuries to the likes of Leicester fly-half Toby Flood and back-rower Tom Wood, but he has already stamped his mark on the squad by installing Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw as captain for the first two matches of the tournament.
The former Saxons coach must decide who will play alongside Robshaw in the back row in the absence of Wood, who had rivalled him for the captaincy.
Tom Croft is tipped to play at No6, leaving 31-year-old Phil Dowson vying for a first appearance with another potential debutant, Scarlets’ Ben Morgan. Wasps hooker Rob Webber could make his debut off the bench.