Chris Harris will start for Scotland in their Six Nations opener against England – but there will be no Gloucester rivalry in the Calcutta Cup as Centre Mark Atkinson has been left out of Eddie Jones’ squad.
Harris has made 31 appearances for Scotland since making his debut in 2017, and will line up at Murrayfield looking to help Scotland beat England for the second year in succession after the 6-11 win at Twickenham in 2021– a match he started in.
Gloucester teammates Mark Atkinson and Jonny May are not in the England squad for the curtain raiser however, the latter has been ruled out with injury. England have reportedly been planning to life without May, as he is possibly to miss the opening few matches of the tournament.
Atkinson’s omission from England’s squad has already received backlash on social media, with fans perplexed how Jones has not even given a place as a ‘finisher’. Having made his debut in November 2021 against Tonga, many thoughts that it would have been the perfect fit in the England side that will be looking to erase any memories of last years fifth place finish.
Elsewhere, Louis Rees-Zammit has once again been named in Wales’ starting 15 as they travel to the Aviva Stadium to face Ireland. Rees-Zammit has played 12 times for Wales, scoring five tries in last years Six Nations. His first of which was against Saturday’s opponents.
Italy are yet to announce their squad for Sunday’s match against pre-tournament favourites France, meaning we will have to wait to see if Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Lorenzo Varney makes the 15.
