Marcus Smith set to retain No 10 shirt for England's Six Nations opener against Ireland, with Leicester's Freddie Steward starting at full back
Marcus Smith set to retain No 10 shirt for England's Six Nations opener against Ireland, with Leicester's Freddie Steward starting at full back
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Marcus Smith is set to retain the No 10 shirt for England's Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, with Freddie Steward to start at full back. Steve Borthwick is fine-tuning his selection plans in Girona, northern Spain, ahead of his side's momentous showdown with the title holders, on the opening weekend of this year's championship.
![[Freddie Steward is expected to play at full back in England's first game of the 2025 Six Nations]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/27/12/94556731-0-image-m-4_1737980068167.jpg)
Having been plagued by recent injury setbacks, the head coach is seeking to ensure England are as settled and cohesive as possible going into the daunting fixture at the Aviva Stadium. On that basis, Mail Sport understands that after weeks of intense speculation, Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith is on course to continue in his favoured place in the starting XV, with Fin Smith of Northampton expected to be included among the replacements.
For a period, it appeared that the two Smiths would be unleashed in tandem, but the loss of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, added to the absence of George Furbank, may have forced a re-think. Ireland are sure to target England with an aerial onslaught, which means that a recall for the in-form Leicester full back, Steward, makes sense.
Marcus Smith will wear the No 10 shirt for England in Saturday's game with Ireland in Dublin. Freddie Steward is expected to play at full back in England's first game of the 2025 Six Nations. The 24-year-old will be charged with handling a high-kick barrage from the hosts, as well as presenting the sort of running threat from deep which has seen him wreaking havoc for the Tigers this season.
