Borthwick betting on big bonus in Cardiff

MARCUS SMITH’S return to the starting XV for England’s trip to Cardiff is the headline in Steve Borthwick’s selection - but there are sub-plots everywhere.

- By Adam Hathaway

The head coach does not have a reputation as a gambler but he has put his chips on the table in a radical shake-up of his backline.

Tommy Freeman gets a first start at outside-centre after making all his previous Test appearances on the wing, Elliot Daly is shifted to the wing and Ollie Sleightholme, with six tries in eight internationals, is ditched from the other flank in favour of Sale’s Tom Roebuck.

Fraser Dingwall is at inside-centre but if he goes down early Ben Earl, switched back to No.8, will take over in midfield. The selections are a risk but suggest Borthwick is going for the bonus point that could be vital in handing England a first title since 2020 — if France slip up against Scotland.