Here are the key talking points from Steve Borthwick's first Six Nations matchday squad.

• Captain Maro Itoje named on the bench to face Wales on Saturday
• Northampton pair Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall start together in the midfield, while Henry Arundell is on the wing
• Itoje missed start of England's training camp to attend funeral of his mother Florence
• Borthwick said it is the 'right thing for Itoje' and he will 'get a big roar'
• 'England’s bench on Saturday looks especially strong' - Chris Jones analysis
• 'Interesting to see what happens when Lawrence returns' - Chris Jones analysis

Thanks all!

Excellent work from Chris and the team out in Girona today.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent in Girona

We've just finished speaking to Steve Borthwick and some of the England players here in a rainy Girona.

Borthwick spoke about Maro Itoje and explained that, for this game, it was best for him to start on the bench given the difficult last few weeks he has had.

Itoje will provide impact off the bench, with Borthwick expecting a magnificent reception from the Twickenham crowd for the regular skipper.

We also spoke to Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall, who discussed their midfield combination, their chemistry on and off the pitch, and how best to deal with Henry Pollock.

Ellis Genge also gave some great insight into his and the team’s ambition in the short, medium and long term. As is tradition, his barber will be in town on Thursday to prepare the squad stylistically for the game.

Hear the full interviews on the Rugby Union Daily podcast which is out first thing tomorrow morning.

Six Nations

Former England wing Ugo Monye, ex-Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie, former Wales captain Wales Philippa Tuttiett and ex-Ireland winger Shane Horgan reveal what they expect to happen in this year's championship.

Read more here - and vote for your title winner

Who wins on Saturday?

Thumbs up for England, thumbs down for Wales.

Henry Pollock and Chandler Cunningham-South both scored two tries as England thrashed Wales 68-14 last year.

Maro Itoje, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Will Stuart, Alex Mitchell and Joe Heyesalso scored.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on Wales: "We have immense respect for Wales.

"We have studied their progress under Steve Tandy and you can see his fingerprints on that side."

Captain Jac Morgan, Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau, Exeter lock Christ Tshiunza and Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn are all injured.

There is an argument that all four could have been involved against England.

Morgan has been Wales' standout performer and was their only Test Lion in the summer.

BBC Sounds

The Rugby Union Daily podcast will bring regular Six Nations reaction and content.

Listen here.

Image source, Getty Images

Round 1

Thursday 5 February

20:10 - France v Ireland, Stade de France, Paris

Saturday 7 February

14:10 - Italy v Scotland, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

16:40 - England v Wales, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

BBC Sport will show one match per round on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, starting with Italy v Scotland on 7 February.

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on Tom Curry being on the bench: "I have spoken to you about the importance of the bench in Test match rugby. You need experience."

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on George Furbank and Tom Roebuck: "He hasn’t been in the squad for a while. He has the ability to play at 15 or 10 and to cover the wing. He was certainly in the mix for selection.

"Tom Roebuck has worked so hard to come back from injury. Ideally, he needs another week to fine-tune his return to the pitch."

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent in Girona

Wales' probable starting 15 is, on paper, a pretty decent-looking team. Is the difference between the two sides going to be their bench options? Can Wales keep it tight enough into the last 20 minutes to get England nervous? Or have England moved beyond that now?

Good point James. The benches could well be a decisive factor. England's is absolutely stacked. Plus they are in such a better place to deal with nervy final quarters after their 11 wins. But this is the Six Nations and you never know for sure…!

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on how Maro Itoje is feeling: "Maro is good. As you would expect, he has thrown himself into the preparation here and has been a role model and an example to the other players, as he always is.

"This squad is really building a connection, and so is the understanding they have for each other. That connection is so vital for us as a team."

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on if it was his call to name Maro Itoje on the bench: "Maro and I talk a lot as you would expect. It is the right thing for him and the team this week."

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick on naming Maro Itoje on the bench: "We all feel for Maro and his family after the very sad loss of his mum.

"Maro was out in Nigeria and arrived back in camp a day or two after everybody else. We made the decision for this game it's best for him to start on the bench.

"I think he is going to have a massive impact. I am excited by the impact the whole bench is going to have.

"I also know the crowd when Maro comes to the touchline, I'm sure he will get a big roar."

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent in Girona

Where’s Slade? He is in great form.

Hi Bob. Slade is a big part of the squad but at the moment England’s first choice midfield includes a pivot-player at 12 who can carry (Atkinson/Ojomoh/Dingwall) and a strike runner at 13 (Freeman/Lawrence).

Slade can play either role and has the hunger to make the World Cup in 2027 after missing out last time. But it’s just about the best balanced midfield and at the moment he is just missing out.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent in Girona

Arundell and Feyi-Waboso on the wings is electric. Those two and Freeman is some ball in hand threat. Does this mean we won't be playing a kick-chase game?

I would still expect plenty of kicking on Saturday, from both teams. But England will try and use the boot as an attacking weapon, to win tap-backs and then attack a broken defence, like they did in the autumn.

Steve Borthwick will also want to see Arundell coming off his wing and looking for the ball a bit more.