Steve Borthwick believes Maro Itoje can have a "massive impact" off the bench in England's Six Nations opener against Wales on Saturday.

Borthwick has revealed his starting XV and replacements for the game, with Itoje named on the bench after joining the squad late due to his mother’s funeral in Nigeria.

Of the six players to win five or more turnovers in last year’s Six Nations, four did so for England: Itoje (five), Ben Earl (five), Ben Curry (six) and Tom Curry (six).

Itoje has won 53 turnovers overall in the Championship and needs just one more to overtake Brian O’Driscoll as the player with the outright most.

Despite having a reduced role, Borthwick is still expecting a big performance from Itoje at Twickenham.

"We all feel for Maro and his family after the very sad loss of his mum," said Borthwick.

"Maro was out in Nigeria and arrived back in camp a day or two after everybody else. We made the decision that, for this game, it's best for him to start on the bench.

"I think he is still going to have a massive impact. I am excited by the impact the whole bench is going to have.

"I also know the crowd when Maro comes to the touchline, I'm sure he will get a big roar."

Ready for the first test 

Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his 23-player match day squad to face Wales in our opening game of the @SixNationsRugby @O2 | #WearTheRose

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 2, 2026

England have won 10 of their last 12 matches against Wales in the Six Nations (L2), including a 54-point victory last year, their biggest ever-win against Wales in the competition.

England have also won their last 11 Test matches, with their last defeat coming against Ireland in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations; it is their best run since winning 18 matches in a row between 2015 and 2017.

"England versus Wales is always a special occasion in the rugby calendar," added Borthwick.

"It's a fierce rivalry with a long history, and one that brings a huge challenge every time we meet,

"We expect Wales to bring a kicking game, so we’ll need to be accurate in how we respond to that challenge. For us, our focus is on executing our gameplan and maintaining discipline throughout the match.

"We're excited to get the Championship underway at a packed-out Allianz Stadium. The support we receive at home is outstanding and always gives the players a huge lift."

England starting XV: Freddie Steward; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith.