Hassell-Collins makes England debut in Calcutta Cup

Ollie Hassell-Collins made his international debut in England’s 29-24 Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.

The former St Bartholomew’s student played more than 65 minutes of new head coach Steve Borthwick’s first game in charge, as two sensational tries from Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe meant England’s Six Nations campaign began with defeat against their bitter rivals.

Scotland have now won four of the last six Calcutta Cup matches but there were reasons to be positive for Borthwick and England, particularly in attack.

It was a memorable day for Hassell-Collins and a considerable show of faith from Borthwick, who handed the 24-year-old a start after he was overlooked for most of previous head coach Eddie Jones' tenure.

Hassell-Collins first played rugby as a five-year-old at Newbury Rugby Club and the game was shown on the big screen at Monks Lane following Blues' game against Marlborough.

The winger's call-up was just reward for an excellent domestic season with London Irish in which he's scored eight tries, making him the Premiership's joint-third leading scorer.

England welcome a much-improved Italy, who lost 29-24 to defending champions France, to Twickenham this weekend.