England team for Six Nations opener: Marcus Smith decision made as debutant named
England team for Six Nations opener: Marcus Smith decision made as debutant named
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England will begin their Six Nations campaign with Marcus Smith steering their attacking against Ireland on Saturday evening. Steve Borthwick will be desperate to improve on the country's recent showings in the Six Nations but will begin with the unenviable task of facing the defending champions in their own backyard. England have continued to come up short in the biggest games over the past 12 months, but Saturday is a chance to end those frustrations.
Smith, who was central to a lot of England's good work in the autumn, will lead the team from fly-half with Freddie Steward returning to the fullback position. He had lost his shirt to George Furbank but an injury to the Northampton Saints skipper has opened the door for his return.
Alex Mitchell will join Smith in the halfbacks having been given the nod at scrum-half despite his fitness being a doubt with Harry Randall coming off the bench to add impact. Jamie George has lost the captaincy to Maro Itoje in one of Borthwick's biggest calls and hobbled off for Saracens earlier this month, which ruled him out of the Ireland clash. Luke Cowan-Dickie will start at hooker instead. Itoje is partnered in the second row by George Martin.
The wings has been an area where England have enjoyed huge depth. Tommy Freeman and Cadan Murley - who will land his first cap - will start at the Aviva Stadium, where Ireland are expected to heavily utilise their kicking game. England won last year's clash with Ireland, owing to a Smith drop goal in the last minute at Twickenham, which denied Ireland successive Grand Slam titles. Since then though Borthwick's side have only beaten Japan.
