England boss Steve Borthwick has handed lock Ollie Chessum his first start for nearly a year for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland.

Borthwick has dropped Chessum’s Leicester club mate George Martin to the bench in the only change in the 23 from the one that beat France 26-25 on 8 Feb.

Chessum is rewarded for his huge impact off the bench against the French in round two when he won two lineouts that led to tries.

His last start was in England’s 33-31 defeat to France in Lyon at the end of the last Six Nations as he missed the summer tour and autumn Tests with shoulder and knee injuries respectively.

Martin has not been training fully as he has been managing a minor knee injury but Chessum is deservedly promoted.

Borthwick has handed Marcus Smith a vote of confidence by retaining him at full-back with an aerial bombardment expected to come his way from the Scots.

Fin Smith starts at 10, as Borthwick retains his two playmakers, and keeps the experience of Jamie George and Elliot Daly on the bench.

Borthwick has gone with a 6-2 split amongst the replacements with Daly and scrum-half Harry Randall the only backs included.

England have not beaten Scotland since 2020 and the mood in the camp this week has been one of righting wrongs.

Tom Curry, retained at flanker, described Monday’s training session in Bagshot as ‘tasty’ with England keen to settle a few scores with the Scots.

Borthwick said: “We are looking forward to what will be another challenging and exciting match against Scotland.

“The Calcutta Cup is a special fixture, and we are determined to perform to our very best in front of our supporters.”

Scotland are set to announce their team on Thursday when they arrive in London from their Spanish training camp.

Boss Gregor Townsend is sweating on the fitness of fly-half Finn Russell and wing Darcy Graham who suffered head knocks colliding with each other in the 32-18 defeat to Ireland.

Russell passed his HIA but was not allowed back on by team medics but Graham left the field on a stretcher.

England team, v Scotland, Saturday, 4.45pm, ITV Sport: M.Smith; T.Freeman, O.Lawrence, H.Slade, O.Sleightholme, F.Smith, A.Mitchell; E.Genge, L.Cowan-Dickie, W.Stuart, M.Itoje (capt), O.Chessum, T.Curry, B.Earl, T.Willis

Replacements: J.George, F.Baxter, J.Heyes, G.Martin, C.Cunningham-South, B.Curry, H.Randall, E.Daly