The England XV team's upcoming clash against France XV is a pivotal moment for the side, as they look to build on a strong performance against Les Bleus in the Six Nations while also aiming to improve after a disappointing Championship. The team's head coach, Steve Borthwick, has named an exciting 33-man squad for the trip to Vannes, with a number of uncapped players and in-form PREM stars drafted into the group. This presents an opportunity for Borthwick to experiment and fully stress-test his wider depth chart, particularly in the backline, where Benhard Janse van Rensburg headlines an exciting selection. The midfield pairing of Max Ojomoh and Janse van Rensburg is particularly intriguing, as both players excel when given freedom to roam between different positions. This organic balance is exactly what Lee Blackett's attack has been crying out for, and it could be a good time to test it out. The fly-half position is another big call for Borthwick, with George Ford and Charlie Atkinson battling it out. Ford is likely to take the starting role, given his experience, while Jack van Poortvliet should start at scrum-half, with Harry Randall and Marcus Smith in line for roles off the bench. The forwards unit will likely have a Test-ready feel to it, with Borthwick having a lot of his big guns available. The back-row is particularly interesting, with Borthwick moving towards the lock-flanker hybrid option on the blindside, which opens the door for either Ted Hill or Ollie Chessum. Given his exploits at the Stade de France, Chessum seems the probable starter. The front-row will also have a pretty similar look to it, with Joe Heyes and Jamie George nailing their spots down in the Six Nations, while Beno Obano could be an option to start at loosehead. Overall, the England XV team has a lot to offer, and the upcoming clash against France XV will be a crucial test of their progress and potential. It will be fascinating to see how Borthwick's side performs and whether they can build on their strong performance against Les Bleus while also improving after a disappointing Championship.
