England have called Max Ojomoh into their 35-man squad ahead of their final match of the Guinness Six Nations against Wales as a replacement for his injured Bath team-mate Ollie Lawrence.
For the first time in over a year, England will start a Test match without Ollie Lawrence in the midfield when play gets underway in Cardiff in round five of the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday.
Smith was moved from number 10 to full-back following the 27-22 defeat to Ireland in Dublin that began England’s Six Nations campaign but, despite compelling victories over France and Scotland, the Harlequins playmaker has been ditched from the line-up.
The English clung on to a 16-15 victory courtesy of a late missed conversion kick from the visiting Finn Russell and Borthwick’s attempt to fire up his team has resulted in the inclusion of Elliot Daly and Fraser Dingwall to start in the backs, with Jamie George promoted at hooker.
Cast as the new Manu Tuilagi, Ollie Lawrence had precious few opportunities to show off his destructive qualities on both sides of the ball in his early days as a Test player
An intriguing subplot to Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations showdown is the battle at number 10 as Test rookie Smith seeks to build on his starring role in a thrilling 26-25 win over France on his full international debut.
Glasgow Warriors full-back Ollie Smith is poised to bring his year-long spell on the sidelines to an end on Saturday after receiving a call-up to the Emerging Scotland squad to face Italy at Edinburgh's Hive Stadium.
The pair have remained buddies since their days together at Worcester, whose October 2022 liquidation resulted in both players quickly going their separate ways.