SETTING THE BENCH MARK

Borthwick backs Smith to be an impact substitute

- Adam Hathaway

MARCUS SMITH took his demotion on the chin according to England head coach Steve Borthwick - who then handed the Harlequin a licence to thrill against Italy on Sunday, when he gets on.

The benched 26-year-old has paid the price for defensive lapses in England’s 16-15 win over Scotland and his side’s inability to get him involved in attack.

Borthwick has banked on the high-ball expertise of Elliot Daly at full-back to neutralise Italy’s expected aerial assault.

The bombshell was delivered to Smith on Tuesday as England seek a win of real authority at Twickenham after the one-point Six Nations victories against France and the Scots.

Borthwick said: “I told Marcus about selection and he went out and trained brilliantly, which is immense credit to him as a person.