Steve Borthwick’s bid for a best-ever finish in the Six Nations as England head coach has been boosted by a fitness thumbs-up for four of his main men. Borthwick’s squad joined up in Bagshot on Monday with injury clouds over back rowers Ben Earl, Tom Curry and Tom Willis plus centre Ollie Lawrence all clearing.

Earl, Curry and Lawrence were carrying niggles into last week’s camp in York but have been given the all-clear to rip into training Tuesday morning ahead of Sunday’s clash with Italy. And Saracens’ Willis, who went off after 37 minutes in the 16-15 Calcutta Cup win over Scotland with a head knock is expected to be fit for the session. Willis is going through return to play concussion protocols but is set to be given the green light to train and then play at the weekend.

Former captain Jamie George is also included in a 35-man squad and will win his 100th England cap if he takes part.

Northampton flanker Henry Pollock, an Under-20 World Cup winner in the summer is also included.

With Italy and Wales to come, England are eyeing four wins in the Six Nations for the first time since 2020 – when they lifted the trophy under Eddie Jones.

Borthwick’s best finish since taking over for the 2023 tournament is third last year when they beat Wales, Italy and Ireland.

The head coach is expected to resist temptation and keep changes to a minimum for the visit of the Italians, who were crushed in shipping 73 points to France in the last round.

After winning at the death 26-25 against the French on the second weekend and limping past Scotland, by a point, in round three England fans are desperate for them to put on a show.

They were booed for kicking too much against the Scots by the Twickenham crowd provoking a stinging response from prop Ellis Genge last week.