Steve Borthwick has sprung a major selection surprise ahead of England's final Rugby World Cup warm-up match, naming Marcus Smith at full-back for Sunday's encounter with Fiji at Twickenham.
The Harlequins star, typically deployed at fly-half, gets the number 15 shirt in a bold tactical move that sees captain Owen Farrell return to the starting lineup after completing his suspension.
Leadership Returns as Farrell Takes Charge
Farrell's comeback sees him slot in at inside centre, forming a formidable partnership with Manu Tuilagi in the midfield. The Saracens stalwart will also resume captaincy duties, bringing his experience and leadership back to the side at a crucial moment.
George Ford, who impressed during Farrell's absence, makes way as Borthwick opts for the Farrell-Smith axis that has shown promise in recent campaigns.
Forward Pack Sees Strategic Adjustments
In the pack, Ellis Genge earns the starting loosehead prop position ahead of Joe Marler, while Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum continue their developing second-row partnership. The back row remains unchanged from the victory over Wales, with Courtney Lawes, Ben Earl, and Billy Vunipola providing the breakdown threat.
The bench features a mix of experience and youth, with Theo Dan providing hooker cover and young talents like Ollie Lawrence and Max Malins offering backline options.
Fiji's Threat Looms Large
Sunday's match represents England's final opportunity to fine-tune their systems before the World Cup kicks off in France. Fiji, fresh from their historic victory over England at Twickenham in November, will provide stern opposition and test Borthwick's new-look backline configuration.
The Pacific Islanders have shown they're more than capable of causing an upset, making this encounter anything but a routine send-off for the home side.
World Cup Countdown Intensifies
With their World Cup opener against Argentina just two weeks away, every minute of match practice becomes invaluable. Borthwick's selection choices, particularly the experiment with Smith at full-back, suggest the England coach is still refining his optimal combinations.
The Twickenham faithful will be hoping for a performance that builds confidence and demonstrates the tactical flexibility needed to succeed in tournament rugby.
