Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2026
4 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEngland head coach Steve Borthwick has overhauled the backline for Saturday’s Six Nations clash in Rome, handing a debut centre pairing of Fin Smith and Seb Atkinson and retaining only Tommy Freeman from the previous backline.
LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - England coach Steve Borthwick has undertaken a major reshuffle of his back line among nine changes to his starting XV with Fin Smith at flyhalf and Seb Atkinson at centre for the Six Nations Championship showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Italy have never beaten England in 32 tests but may feel they have rarely had a better chance with home advantage, their own form on the rise and England's experimental line-up.
England have lost their last two tests to Scotland (31-20) and Ireland (42-21) to put the brakes on a 12-game winning run, and sit fourth in the Six Nations table in a season when they had been expected to challenge for the title.
"All of us have been really disappointed with the performances in the last two games," Borthwick told reporters.
"I say to the team that we have certain standards and I'm going to hold them to those standards. There are certain things that, to me, are unwavering. Things that I will not move upon.
"Unfortunately, in the last two games, on certain things, we've not met those standards. We want an improved performance and result this weekend."
Borthwick has responded with wholesale changes in the backs with Tommy Freeman the only player retained from the Ireland loss, but he moves from the wing to outside centre.
Two changes were forced by injury with scrumhalf Alex Mitchell (hamstring) and centre Ollie Lawrence (knee) missing, but others appear to have paid the price for a lacklustre campaign.
Smith replaces George Ford, and fullback Freddie Steward and centre Fraser Dingwall were also left out. Elliot Daly replaces Steward, with wingers Cadan Murley and Tom Roebuck completing the back three.
"We know the challenge Italy will bring at the Stadio Olimpico, and we’ve selected a team we believe will deliver the level of performance we’re striving for," Borthwick said.
Number eight Ben Earl will earn his 50th cap alongside Tom Curry and Guy Pepper in the back row.
"To reach 50 caps for England speaks volumes about Ben’s professionalism and the consistency of his performances," Borthwick said.
"He’s an important leader within this group, someone who drives standards and brings energy every day. It’s a wonderful achievement and one he should be very proud of."
Captain Maro Itoje and Alex Coles are in the second row, with props Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes either side of hooker Jamie George.
Pepper, Coles and George all start as changes from the team that played Ireland.
England had two players yellow carded against Ireland and in the loss to Scotland winger Henry Arundell was sent to the sin bin before picking up a second yellow card to earn an automatic 20-minute red card.
"We've played games where we have long periods where have had 14 men, where people have had to do extra work," Borthwick said.
"This has been a team that had built a very good disciplinary record. That is something that needs to change."
England team: 15-Elliot Daly, 14-Tom Roebuck, 13-Tommy Freeman, 12-Seb Atkinson, 11-Cadan Murley, 10-Fin Smith, 9-Ben Spencer, 8-Ben Earl, 7-Tom Curry, 6-Guy Pepper, 5-Alex Coles, 4-Maro Itoje (captain), 3-Joe Heyes, 2-Jamie George, 1-Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Bevan Rodd, 18-Trevor Davison, 19-Ollie Chessum, 20-Sam Underhill, 21-Henry Pollock, 22-Jack van Poortvliet, 23-Marcus Smith.
(Reporting by Nick Said, additional reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond and Christian Radnedge)
Fin Smith will start at flyhalf for England in the Six Nations match against Italy.
Coach Steve Borthwick reshuffled England's backline after recent losses and injuries to key players.
Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell (hamstring) and centre Ollie Lawrence (knee) are missing due to injury.
England are currently fourth in the Six Nations table.
Elliot Daly, Cadan Murley, and Tom Roebuck make up the new back three for England.
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