Marcus Smith’s return is one of many sub plots in England’s Six Nations switch-up (Image: Getty)
Marcus Smith’s restoration to starting 15 for England’s trip to Cardiff on Saturday is the headline in Steve Borthwick’s selection but there are sub-plots everywhere.
The head coach does not have a reputation as a gambler but he has put his chips on the table in a radical shake-up of his backline.
Tommy Freeman, the Northampton winger, gets a first start at outside centre, Elliot Daly is shifted to the wing and Ollie Sleightholme, with six tries in eight internationals, is ditched from the other flank in favour of Sale’s Tom Roebuck.
Fraser Dingwall is at inside centre but if he goes down early Ben Earl, switched back to No.8, will take over in midfield.
The selections are a risk but also point to Borthwick going for the bonus point that could be vital if France slip up against Scotland and hand England a first title since 2020.
The back row of Earl and Curry twins is selected to run Wales off their feet, combat Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan and get quick ball to unleash Smith and co in search of tries.
And England have a powerful bench with Jamie George relegated, Chandler Cunningham-South, the demoted Tom Willis and 20-year-old Northampton sensation Henry Pollock to come on in the last quarter.
Fraser Dingwall is at inside centre but if he goes down early Ben Earl will take over (Image: Getty)
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England will be heading into a Welsh storm on Saturday with the hosts desperate to end a 16 match losing streak but Borthwick has backed his side to get the scoreboard ticking.
Borthwick said: “The context of who we’re playing against, or where we’re playing, is not the most important thing.
“The most important thing is the attitude with which we approach the game and the way we play. I want the team to play with bravery and speed on the ball. We want them to play big.
“This back-row brings speed and athleticism, the bench gives us speed and athleticism and this backline we’ve got is an exciting one. If I’m an England supporter, I’m looking at this backline and thinking I’m looking forward to seeing these guys play this weekend. Everybody is.
“Look at that back division with Tom Roebuck coming on the right wing and you see pace, a left foot option with Elliot Daly and guys that find space really well.
“Ben Earl will be covering centre, given his versatility. We have been having that option for a long period of time. I was watching them all train with Ben in the centre this morning, and he was outstanding.”
Freeman’s switch to outside centre has been forced by the injury to Ollie Lawrence but has been flagged up for a while.
He started there 10 times last season for Northampton, including in a Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster, and has moved there towards the end of England games recently.
Freeman, who has 19 caps, has scored in all four games so far and a try in Cardiff will see him emulate French wing Philippe Bernat-Salles who touched down in all five games in 2001.
Borthwick added: “With his athleticism that he has, the ground he covers and the power he brings in the carry, he has always been that option. Now he has grown over the last 18 months, he’s grown to be a formidable Test player, he’s played a lot of Tests now, and so we have moved him to 13.”
England team v Wales, Saturday, Cardiff, 4.45pm, Sport: M.Smith, T.Roebuck, T.Freeman, F.Dingwall. E.Daly; F.Smith, A.Mitchell; E.Genge, L.Cowan-Dickie, W.Stuart, M.Itoje (capt), O.Chessum, T.Curry, B.Curry, B.Earl
Replacements: J.George, F.Baxter, J.Heyes, C.Cunningham-South, H.Pollock, T.Willis. J.van Poortvliet, G.Ford