Predicted: How England could line up in their Six Nations opener against Scotland

England head coach Eddie Jones has trimmed his squad to 29 players ahead of his side's opening Six Nations match against Wales, providing further clues to how his side will line up on Saturday at Murrayfield.

England take on Scotland in the Calcutta Cup on Saturday 5 February (4.45pm KO). The match is live on BBC 1 and BBC Radio 5 Live. More details

Courtney Lawes was set to deputise for the injured captain Owen Farrell against Scotland, however, the veteran forward has been ruled out of the opening game due to a concussion.

Lawes is joined on the sidelines by fellow British and Irish Lions Jonny Hill who has a foot injury while there was some good news with Joe Marler re-joining the squad following a period of self-isolation.

Tom Curry filled in as the England captain for the Six Nations launch and could lead the side out against Scotland while Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ellis Genge are among the side's vice-captains.

In the backs, George Ford has captained England in the past but is unlikely to crack the starting XV with the in-form Marcus Smith set to continue in the number 10 jumper. Ben Youngs is the most experienced player in the squad and Eddie Jones might turn to him to lead the side but it looks as if the captain will come from the pack.

In his latest trimming of the squad, Eddie Jones cut the likes of Raffi Quirke, Joe Heyes, Luke Northmore, Alfie Barbeary, Adam Radwan, Orlando Bailey, and Louis Lynagh.

With Lawes and Hill ruled out of the encounter, Maro Itoje will need a new second-row partner on Saturday with either Charlie Ewels or Nick Isiekwe now likely to start, uncapped Ollie Chessum is a potential bench candidate.

The front row is likely to compromise of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Kyle Sinckler with Jamie George, Joe Marler, and Will Stuart primed for bench roles.

The back row is set for a shake-up from last November as Tom Curry is the only available player from the starters against South Africa. Curry is likely to move from the no.8 jersey and onto the side of the scrum.

Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt and Exeter Chiefs' Sam Simmonds are the two front runners for the starting role at the back of the scrum while Chessum and Isiekwe could take the blindside flanker role.

As mentioned, Youngs is set to retain the nine jersey along with Marcus Smith while the midfield is where it gets trickier to predict.

Jones has namechecked Henry Slade to fill the inside centre role while Atkinson remains an option. Joe Marchant tested positive for COVID earlier in the week but has been retained in the squad suggesting that he could still feature.

Elliot Daly was called into the squad as cover but survived the cut ahead of Luke Northmore and with experience in the centres for the British and Irish Lions, Jones could start the versatile back in the outside centre role.

Theoretically, Jones could start George Ford or Marcus Smith at inside centre maintaining the dual playmaker axis while Jack Nowell is an option at outside centre too, although these alternatives are unlikely. 

Into the back three and Freddie Steward is the likest candidate for the #15 jersey. His fellow outside backs is less clear following the injuries to Jonny May and Anthony Watson.

Max Malins has been in outstanding form for Saracens this season and shone during the Autumn Nations Series. He is likely to crack the matchday 23 if he is not starting on the wing.

Daly is another option on the wing and bench if he is not starting at outside centre while Jack Nowell could make his return to test rugby in a starting jumper. Joe Marchant adds another option on the wing if he doesn't start in the centres.

Finally, Ollie Hassell-Collins may be in line for a test debut while George Furbank is yet another utility option particularly if England opt for a 6-2 split on the bench.

Predicted England team to face Scotland

1. Ellis Genge

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Charlie Ewels

6. Nick Isiekwe 

7. Tom Curry (c)

8. Alex Dombrandt

9. Ben Youngs

10. Marcus Smith

11. Max Malins

12. Henry Slade

13. Joe Marchant*

14. Jack Nowell

15. Freddie Steward

Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Sam Simmonds, Raffi Quirke, George Ford, Elliot Daly/Mark Atkinson

* If available