England showing quite a few enforced changes tomorrow as well as a more muscular midfield. The main problems are in the pack, especially the props, Kyle Sinkler is banned and Mako Vunipola and Joe Marler injured meaning starts for both Ellis Genge and Will Stuart. A further injury blow to Sam Underhill means Tom Curry switching over to open side flanker and Mark Wilson coming in at blindside, with on loan Saracens' flanker Ben Earl only making the bench. In the second row they've decided not to start Courtney Lawes who missed all Autumn through injury and without Billie Twelvetrees have brought in Jonny Hill to partner Maro itoje
So very much a chopped, changed and patched up pack who will do well to hold their own, so many changes, both personal and positional, usually means no cohesion it's likely therefore to be a bit of a struggle to even gain parity up front against a far more experienced Scottish front row.
In the backs George Ford is benched meaning Farrell at 10 with the muscular centre partnership of Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade. This possibly the way they envisage life post Tuilagi
As in football, a side showing multiple changes, both positional and personnel, usually finds it tough even if it looks strong enough on paper, and I can see England lacking that crucial timing and understanding that only comes with playing together.
Against that most of the backs are familiar faces with only the positional change at inside centre to bulk up the midfield, but it's the pack who usually decide who wins a game and England look far weaker than for some time. Expect this to be very close indeed and i wouldn't be at all surprised if they lost.
