Borthwick rings changes for clash with improving Italy

Steve Borthwick has ripped up his England side for the Six Nations trip to face Italy, naming an all-new backline with Fin Smith installed at fly-half.

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE RUGBY CORRESPONDENT

Smith takes the place of George Ford as Borthwick wields the axe following back-to-back defeats to Scotland and Ireland that have all but ended England’s title hopes.

Tommy Freeman is the sole survivor from the backline that started against Ireland in round three, though he moves to outside centre to partner Six Nations debutant Seb Atkinson after an injury to Ollie Lawrence. Veteran Elliot Daly is stationed at fullback, Tom Roebuck returns on the right wing and Cadan Murley is a surprise inclusion on the left.

With Alex Mitchell out for the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring issue, Ben Spencer is preferred to Jack van Poortvliet at scrum half to complete a fresh look behind the scrum.