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England explain why they have dropped Marcus Smith and Henry Slade
By PA
England coach Steve Borthwick is looking forward to “unleashing” Marcus Smith once opponents Italy are fatigued after dropping him to the bench for Sunday’s meeting at the Allianz Stadium.
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Smith was moved from number 10 to full-back following the 27-22 defeat to Ireland in Dublin that began England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign but, despite compelling victories over France and Scotland, the Harlequins playmaker has been ditched from the line-up.
It opens the door for Elliot Daly to step in at 15, while there is also a change at centre with Fraser Dingwall recalled for his first Test appearance in a year in place of Henry Slade, who is out of the 23 altogether.
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Smith’s exclusion from the starting XV is the biggest bombshell, continuing a rapid fall from grace for the 26-year-old. He has been involved in all 10 of England’s Tests since the last Six Nations but, having lost the 10 jersey to Fin Smith after Dublin, he now finds himself watching on as cover.
“We have got a lot of talented players, a lot of talented backs with attacking ability,” said Borthwick. “Marcus has done so many things we want. He is a game-changer. He has impact in games. When he has the impact, it’s a different time of the game now to what it has been.
“Marcus has done some really outstanding things. He has the ability to find space that other players can’t.
“The exiting thing I’m looking forward to is unleashing him when there is a bit of fatigue on the pitch, there is a bit of space, he comes on with his freshness. The whole of Allianz Stadium will be excited to see him come onto the pitch in the second half.”
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England trail leaders Ireland by four points going into the penultimate weekend and have lifted themselves back into title contention with two impressive victories. As well as the ousting of Smith, a recall for Dingwall – who is more of a facilitator for those around him than an impact player – is a curveball selection given he was axed after winning his two caps in the 2024 Six Nations.
“In certain positions, we are in a really strong circumstance, to have quality players all competing and helping each other,” said Borthwick. “You see that at 10, you see it at 15. I would love to have it in every position but it allows me to have slight tweaks, slight changes in the makeup of the team.”
The rejig means that Borthwick’s backs selection for Italy is made up of five Northampton players. Along with Dingwall at 12, wingers Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme both start, as do Fin Smith at 10 and Alex Mitchell at scrum-half.
Borthwick was asked whether benched Harlequins star Smith would therefore find it tough to reclaim his place, saying: “It’s one of the factors. When you need to change the team, when you want to keep consistency in the team.
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“I want to build a togetherness, I’m not going to change the team hugely but there will always be little tweaks and I feel this is the right one for this game. Elliot Daly is a really good attacking, strong player. It’s never just about one player, it’s about the team.”
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Dropping Slade is a good option. Smith less so. Firstly England's attack is going to become one dimensional Elliot Daly has no X factor to worry the Italians. Secondly at full back his kicking from hand is abysmal and is no better at tackling than Smith. Tbh if you were picking Daly why are you not picking Steward?
Daly covers more positions, Steward is a full-back and thats it.
Ireland are doing the same thing with Osborne on the wing, its a result of the 6-2 split.
Dalys experience could also count in his favour, in a backline that doesn’t have much of it from 9 to 14.
Nah, he’ll turn into a fine bench option and a excellent impact player, covering flyhalf and fullback. He clearly doesn’t have the range, game management and ability to control a game or pack at elite test level but in open play with the game stretched and abit of guile needed with more space. He’s an explosive game changer for 20 minutes or so. In terms of Slade, about time, he’s had enough chances and shouldn’t be anywhere near the amount of caps he’s accumulated. The style of play of the last two managers might not have suited him but you need to adapt your game also and evolve.
Maybe Borthwick can’t remember what he said yesterday . And he can’t remember who he picked last time .
Let’s hope he turns up at Leicester at the weekend . We might get an open game without his kick chase .
🤣
This seems like a slow breakup. Off the bench Against Italy. In the bus against Wales. On the plane back home.
Flyhalf to fullback to bench to gone.
no way MS is heading towards gone he if the perfect bench impact player
And he's lost his 15 spot to a not always convincing centre/winger.
He’ll be in the England A’s soon. At what position though?
Yeah feels that way. Borthers telling us what a brilliant fullback he's going to be and we need to invest in him. Now he's benched, Borthers is telling us what a great impact player he's going to be. I don't mind but it's the bullsh*ty narrative which grates.
Although I find it hard to believe he will be axed from the team completely. He does seem best utilised as an utility/impact player.
a long time overdue!