Owen Farrell is set to be dropped by England for the first time since the 2015 Rugby World Cup; head coach Steve Borthwick’s decision comes as he takes charge of England for just the fourth time; Marcus Smith set to return to starting XV, with Ellis Genge stepping in as captain
Last Updated: 09/03/23 10:49am
Captain Owen Farrell is set to drop out of England’s starting IV against France
England captain Owen Farrell is expected to be dropped for Saturday’s Six Nations match against France, with Marcus Smith set to earn a recall at fly-half.
Farrell has started all three of England’s games under Steve Borthwick, but England’s new head coach, who replaced Eddie Jones in December, is now set to make the biggest call of his short tenure.
It will be the first time that the 31-year-old Farrell has been dropped for England since the 2015 World Cup, and it could prove to be a pivotal decision with the 2023 edition of the tournament coming up in September.
With England vice-captain Courtney Lawes absent through injury, Ellis Genge is expected to lead out his country for the first time.
Borthwick is set to confirm his 23-player squad for the Twickenham encounter at 1:30pm on Thursday.
Marcus Smith is expected to replace Farrell at fly-half
Smith and Farrell both started England’s first game under Borthwick, a 23-29 defeat to Scotland, but the 24-year-old Harlequins star was then dropped to the bench for wins over Italy and Wales, featuring for just a total of nine minutes across the two games.
Borthwick released Smith from England’s training squad last week, enabling him to gain match time and put in an impressive performance as Harlequins thrashed Exeter in the Premiership.
Farrell, who led England to the final of the 2019 World Cup, has struggled to find his best form recently, with his goal-kicking struggles leading …