England captain Itoje on bench for Six Nations opener against Wales

Itoje has been grieving the death of his mother Florence, with former skipper Jamie George now leading the side out as they seek to make it 12 wins in a row. Fellow forward Itoje will, however, take over as captain should he take the field at Twickenham after missing the start of England's preparations to attend his mother's funeral in Nigeria. Henry Arundell will make his first England start since the 2023 World Cup after being named on the left wing in a team announced unusually early by coach Steve Borthwick on Monday.