Tom Curry will captain England in Six Nations opener against Scotland

Tom Curry has been named as England’s captain for their Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday with Joe Marchant making a surprise return to take his place on the wing. Eddie Jones has also handed Sam Simmonds a first England start since 2018 and given Nick Isiekwe the nod at second-row in what ranks among his most inexperienced team selections.

At 23, Curry becomes England’s youngest captain since Will Carling, stepping into the role in the absence of both Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes. As reported by the Guardian, Curry emerged as the favourite for the role since England went into camp and will lead the side from openside flanker, with Simmonds lining up at No 8. Marcus Smith is preferred to George Ford at fly-half in a side with a combined 452 caps, seeking what would be only England’s second win in five matches against Scotland.

Marchant’s inclusion on the left wing, meanwhile, is a shock given he tested positive for Covid-19 last Friday. As a result he has been unable to train all week but after testing negative for the second time in consecutive days on Thursday morning he has been thrust straight into the side. Rather than line up alongside Henry Slade in midfield, however, Marchant will wear the No 11 jersey with Elliot Daly returning at centre.

Daly was initially omitted from the squad and having missed the autumn internationals through injury he comes in for his first appearance since last year’s Six Nations. In England’s final match of the tournament against Ireland, Jones had wanted to deploy Daly at centre, only for a late injury to Max Malins forcing a rethink. Daly will finally take to the field in the No 13 jersey, however, for the first time in England colours in six years. Malins, meanwhile,