Smith a winner as England confirm two backline changes versus Fiji

Steve Borthwick has made two changes to his England team for this Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final versus Fiji, promoting Marcus Smith from the bench to start at full-back and recalling Elliot Daly to the wing.

The pair of backline alterations for the last-eight knockout tie in Marseille come on the back of last weekend’s lucky escape versus Samoa, the English fighting back to win 18-17 in Lille after the head coach pulled the plug in the second half on the gambit of starting George Ford, Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi as his 10/12/13 combination.

It was March 2020 when all three of those players were last chosen together in those positions and with England struggling to function efficiently in their pool finale, Borthwick has now selected Smith at No15 at the expense of the excluded Freddie Steward, a selection favourite since his July 2021 debut until now.

The inclusion of Daly on the left wing, following on from his September 23 start at No13 versus Chile, has resulted in a wholesale backline positional reshuffle that sees skipper Farrell named at No10 with Ford dropped to the bench.

With Daly at No11, Jonny May switches to the right wing and Joe Marchant, last weekend’s No14, moves into No13, the spot occupied against the Samoans by Tuilagi, who this weekend will start at No12 with Farrell inside him at No10.

The starting pack will be the same as the one selected versus Samoa, with Borthwick opting to keep Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin and Billy Vunipola on the bench rather than change any of his starting forwards.

That means the only tweak on the bench is the naming of Ford with Smith promoted to wear the No15 shirt at Test level for only the second time in his career.

“The knockout stages of any Rugby World Cup are always full of excitement and keen anticipation for our supporters both at home and here in France,” said Borthwick. “This will be no different. The players cannot wait for this Sunday’s quarter-final against Fiji.

“Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be. However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey.

“We are very much looking forward to returning to the special atmosphere of the Stade de Marseille where we started our campaign in September with a win against Argentina.

"I have said it before, but it is right that I say it again, our supporters contributed to a very special night on that occasion and I have no doubt it will be another memorable evening this Sunday.”

England (vs Fiji, Sunday – Marseille, 5pm local time)

15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 28 caps)

14. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 76 caps)

13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 23 caps)

12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 56 caps)

11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 62 caps)

10. Owen Farrell – captain (Saracens, 109 caps)

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)

1. Ellis Genge – vice-captain (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 82 caps)

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 104 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 73 caps)

5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)

6. Courtney Lawes – vice-captain (Northampton Saints, 103 caps)

7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)

8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 22 caps)

Replacements:

16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 6 caps)

17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 86 caps)

18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)

19. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)

20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 73 caps)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 93 caps)

22. George Ford – vice-captain (Sale Sharks, 89 caps)

23. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)