The Albany Gazette - England turn to Pollock for Six Nations boost against Ireland

Steve Borthwick's men return home following a 31-20 loss away to oldest rivals Scotland last weekend that ended their 12-game winning streak, dented title hopes and put paid to the England coach's publicly stated aim of a Grand Slam.

Borthwick has promoted Pollock to No 8. All his seven previous England appearances have come as an impact replacement, yet Pollock was selected for last year's victorious British and Irish Lions tour of Australia even though he had not made a Test start.

"Henry's full of energy, full of character and full of beans and he's already achieved so much in a very short space of time," said Borthwick, whose team were harried in the loose by Scotland.

Pollock has quickly become a favourite among England fans, even if opposition supporters regard him as a deliberately irritating.

"He seems to thrive on that doesn't he?," said former England captain Borthwick.

"It seems to just keep fuelling more of the energy that is within him. I find it incredible watching him -- there are not many players like him. We want superstars in the game."

England, for a team with aspirations to win next year's World Cup in Australia, were concerningly unsettled by the early yellow card shown to Henry Arundell against Scotland, conceding two tries in his initial absence.

Arundell's second sin-binning of the match resulted in a 20-minute red card but he has retained his place on the left wing after avoiding a ban.

Tommy Freeman is restored to the right wing after an uncertain spell in midfield

Specialist centre Ollie Lawrence returns as England look to capitalise on his powerful running and stiffen a defence that conceded four tries in Edinburgh.

Borthwick has decided against wholesale alterations as his side look for just their second win in six Championship clashes against Ireland.

"I'm backing them to put in a performance that they'll want to put in after last weekend," he said ahead of a match when skipper Maro Itoje will win his 100th England cap.

- 'Journey' -

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has responded to an unconvincing 20-13 win over Italy by making five changes to his starting side, with youthful fly-half Sam Prendergast dropping out of the matchday 23 completely after an error-strewn display.

There has long been a lively debate about the identity of Ireland's No 10 whether it was Tony Ward versus Ollie Campbell in the late 1970s and early 1980s or, more recently, the contest between David Humphreys and Ronan O'Gara followed by O'Gara's ensuing battle for the No 10 jersey with Johnny Sexton.

Prendergast is competing for the No 10 shirt with Jack Crowley, who starts against England after impressing off the bench in Dublin.

Ciaran Frawley will provide cover among the replacements at Twickenham.

"Jack Crowley starts because of what we've seen and how he's come through and performed," said Farrell.

"Sam's a fantastic international player He's on a journey that's obviously learning, like all of us. That will never stop."

The last two Anglo-Irish encounters in the Six Nations have been tight affairs, England ending Ireland's bid for successive Grand Slams with a 23-22 win in 2024 and Ireland triumphing 27-22 in Dublin last year.

With England desperate to show they are still on the way up, and Ireland equally keen to prove they are not on the way down following an opening defeat by France, another cagey contest is likely on Saturday.

"Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times," said Farrell, with the former England international adding. "We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want."

(R.White--TAG)