England recall Chessum but keep faith with misfiring side

Steve Borthwick has insisted the Rugby Football Union's vote of confidence has not put him on notice and that he is ready to fight for his future when he reviews England's Six Nations campaign with the chief executive, Bill Sweeney.

- Gerard Meagher

Borthwick has recalled Ollie Chessum to his starting lineup for the daunting trip to France on Saturday but otherwise kept faith with the underfire players who endured England's first defeat by Italy last weekend. The head coach has also made it clear that he expects his senior leaders - Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge and Jamie George - to step up in Paris as England seek to avoid their worst Six Nations campaign.

After the defeat last Saturday, Sweeney issued a statement before the championship was over, offering Borthwick qualified support but making clear improvements were needed against France as well as in the summer Nations Championship fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. The RFU also demanded "open" dialogue with Borthwick and his coaches in the coming weeks and will hold what is sure to be an uncomfortable review in an attempt to address England's rapid decline.