Six Nations: England pick Henry Slade & Elliot Daly to face Scotland

Henry Slade and Elliot Daly will start in England's midfield and Tom Curry will captain the side in their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Number eight Sam Simmonds makes his first start for England since 2018, in the back row alongside Lewis Ludlam

Marcus Smith starts at number 10, with Joe Marchant — out of Covid isolation — and Max Malins on the wings.

Ellis Genge starts ahead of Joe Marler at prop.

Nick Isiekwe partners Maro Itoje in the second row.

England are attempting to regain the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield for the first time since 1984.

Scotland will announce their team later on Thursday.

Curry steps up to the captaincy role with Owen Farrell ruled out of the Six Nations by ankle surgery.

Courtney Lawes, who led England in Farrell's absence with a different injury during the autumn, is recovering from concussion.

England team to face Scotland: Steward; Malins, Daly, Slade, Marchant; Smith, Youngs; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Isiekwe, Ludlam, Curry ©, Simmonds.

Replacements:George, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Nowell.