All change for England: Borthwick plots full-back role for talisman Marcus Smith
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Steve Borthwick is giving strong consideration to shifting Marcus Smith to full-back and deploying Freddie Steward on the wing as he plots a course to England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin. Smith has started England’s last seven Tests at fly-half and was their most eye-catching performer during a disappointing autumn in which Borthwick’s side were beaten by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. With George Furbank injured, however, Borthwick sees merit in moving Smith to the No 15 jersey, which would pave the way for either Fin Smith or George Ford to start at fly-half.
![[Freddie Steward catches the ball for England]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e442c52c908ef489a04e5c2830714fa626d5bbf/0_77_3923_2353/master/3923.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Marcus Smith started at full-back on three occasions during the 2023 World Cup, against Chile, Fiji and the bronze medal victory over Argentina. In the autumn Tests against Australia and Japan, Smith was shifted to full-back in the final quarter and his counterattacking ability from deep is valued by Borthwick.
Steward wore the No 15 jersey in the defeat by South Africa – a selection based on his aerial ability – but Borthwick, who is without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for the entire championship, also believes the Leicester Tiger’s “super strength” would be effective on the wing. Elliot Daly offers another option and would bring versatility to a matchday squad, enabling Borthwick to select a 6-2 split on the replacements’ bench and include an extra back-row forward.
“It’s certainly something that I would consider, especially in this contestable game,” said Borthwick. “I know Freddie has got a super strength there. His carry work has [also] been very good. We’ve seen steady improvements, he was challenged a good period ago about developing pace and he’s gone away and worked and he’s got faster and improved his pace. Fred on the wing is certainly a possibility.
