England Announce Lineup To Face Wales In Cardiff As Marcus Smith Returns For Six Nations Finale

Updated
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Can England Win the Six Nations

Steve Borthwick has announced the England lineup Vs Wales in Cardiff on Super Saturday with the Six Nations reaching its climax this weekend.

Marcus Smith is back in the starting XV at fullback, with Elliot Daly shifted to the wing.

Tommy Freeman is at outside centre, having started all 19 of his test matches to date on the wing.

Smith had been on the bench for England’s win over Italy, but an early injury to Ollie Lawrence meant the back line had to be moved around.

With Elliot Daly on one wing, Sale Sharks’ Tom Roebuck comes onto the opposite wing for Ollie Sleightholme.

In the forwards, Tom Willis drops out in favour of Ben Curry, who starts alongside twin brother Tom on the flanks.

Ben Earl moves to number eight, with Luke Cowan-Dickie starting at hooker ahead of new test centurion Jamie George.

In a reshuffle to the backline, Elliot Daly moves to the wing, while Tom Roebuck replaces Ollie Sleightholme on the other.

Bath’s Will Stuart is in line for his 50th cap, and starts again at tighthead after an impressive performance last weekend.

England go into Saturday’s game with plenty to play for. They could still win the title if they beat Wales and France slip up against Scotland.

That fact has meant some eyebrows were raised by the inclusion of uncapped youngster Henry Pollock on the England bench.

The Northampton back rower only turned 20 in January, but has been touted as the best new talent to come through the English system for some time.

He could make his test debut from the bench, while veteran fly-half George Ford will earn his 99th cap if he makes a substitute appearance.

England Lineup Vs Wales

Starting XV: M Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.

Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.