ENGLAND REMIX THE SMITHS

Marcus to lead from the back in Borthwick blitz

- Adam Hathaway

STEVE BORTHWICK is planning to take the attack to France on Saturday - with Marcus Smith leading from the back.

Smith's potential shift to full-back is designed to counteract the long kicking game of Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Co and put the French in reverse gear, running the ball back at them.

The 25-year-old Harlequin was first encouraged to play 15 by assistant coach Kevin Sinfield at the 2023 World Cup and, with George Furbank injured, is being handed the job again.

Smith has been shifted there since but, at the end of games, when England are chasing, such as in Saturday's 27-22 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

With Fin Smith, 22, pencilled in to start at 10, ahead of the 98-capped George Ford, England will have three out-and-out creative ball players, with Henry Slade, brought up as a fly-half, in the centre.