England coach Steve Borthwick has dropped Marcus Smith from his starting side for the Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday.
Smith, England's fullback in their recent narrow wins over France and Scotland, even though he is a flyhalf by trade, has been replaced by Elliot Daly.
Jamie George is set to make his 100th England appearance 👏🌹
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 5, 2025
Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face Italy at @allianz_stad on Sunday.@O2 | #WearTheRose
A more experienced performer in the No 15 shirt, Daly's inclusion comes following two impressive cameo displays off the England bench by the Saracens utility back.
With Fin Smith retained at flyhalf in the team announced by Borthwick on Wednesday, there is no place in the starting side for Marcus Smith, who is now on the bench.
Fraser Dingwall becomes one of five Northampton players in the backline after replacing the dropped Henry Slade at inside centre.
100TH CAP FOR GEORGE
Up front, former England captain Jamie George will win his 100th cap as he changes places with the now benched hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.
The 34-year-old George succeeded Owen Farrell as England skipper ahead of the 2024 Six Nations but was replaced as captain by Saracens teammate Maro Itoje before this year's championship.
"Reaching 100 caps is a wonderful achievement that reflects Jamie's talent, dedication and hard work," said former England captain Borthwick.
"He has consistently given his all while wearing an England shirt and the team couldn't be prouder of his incredible milestone."
England lost their Six Nations opener against champions Ireland but beat France 26-25 and edged Scotland 16-15, keeping them in with a chance of winning the title with two games to go.
Harlequins flyhalf Marcus Smith, 26, played eight straight tests in his preferred position but England only managed to defeat Japan during that sequence.
That prompted Borthwick to move him to fullback following the 27-22 loss away to Ireland, with Northampton's 22-year-old Fin Smith given a first test start at fly-half for the France game.
Fin Smith helped steer England to a tight victory over France, repeating the feat against Scotland as Borthwick's men regained the Calcutta Cup.
England, however, were outscored three tries to one by Scotland, with Marcus Smith not making much of an impression in a misfiring attack while being repeatedly exposed in defence, with Slade also failing to impose himself.
Borthwick's team will need unbeaten Ireland, chasing an unprecedented third successive Six Nations crown, to slip up against France in Dublin on Saturday to maintain any realistic hope of being crowned champions for the first time since 2020.
England, who have never lost to Italy, have a six-day turnaround after Sunday's match before finishing their Six Nations campaign against Wales in Cardiff.
England (15-1)
Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Ollie Sleightholme; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Tom Willis, Ben Earl, Tom Curry; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje (capt); Will Stuart, Jamie George, Ellis Genge
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith
Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)