Smith urged to kickstart England attack after setbacks

Steve Borthwick has acknowledged the challenges presented by managing Marcus Smith’s diminished role for England but has urged the recalled playmaker to kickstart his side’s attack against Fiji tomorrow.

- Gerard Meagher

Borthwick revealed that he met with Smith before England’s autumn campaign to offer support to the Harlequins No 10, who was first-choice fly-half 12 months ago before being moved to fullback and then to the role of super sub. After a patchy start to the season with Harlequins, Smith was absent from England’s 25-7 victory over Australia last weekend but with Freddie Steward nursing a hand injury, he comes back into the side at fullback while Fin Smith replaces George Ford at fly-half.

In total, Borthwick has made seven personnel changes with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Alex Coles, Ollie Lawrence and Chandler Cunningham-South starting against Fiji.

Genge will captain the side from the start with Maro Itoje, who has been struggling with a lower leg injury, named on the bench for the first time since 2017.