Fin Smith Poised for England Start in Six Nations Clash with Italy
Fin Smith of Northampton is expected to be handed the starting fly-half role for England in their Six Nations encounter against Italy this Saturday, stepping in for George Ford. Smith missed training on Monday due to illness, but England officials have moved swiftly to reassure that his availability is not in doubt, provided he recovers in time.
Back-Line Overhaul Underway
Steve Borthwick is preparing to radically overhaul his misfiring England side following a disappointing defeat to Ireland. The back-line may feature only one survivor from that loss, with Tommy Freeman anticipated to shift from wing to centre. In the absence of Alex Mitchell due to a hamstring injury, Ben Spencer of Bath is favoured for the scrum-half position over Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet.
With Ollie Lawrence sidelined by a knee issue, Freeman is set to return to outside-centre, where he previously started against Wales and Scotland. Tom Roebuck is likely to come in on the right wing, while Freddie Steward's place at full-back is under considerable threat. On the left wing, Cadan Murley is in contention for a second Six Nations appearance, and Seb Atkinson is ready to take over from Fraser Dingwall at inside-centre.
Pack Changes and Squad Morale
Fewer alterations are expected in the forward pack, though Borthwick has concerns over Ollie Chessum, who also sat out training on Monday. Despite England's title hopes being dashed, they maintain an unbeaten record against Italy. Back-rower Ben Earl revealed that candid discussions have taken place within the squad this week, with players acknowledging underperformance and focusing on improvement.
Earl commented, "These are the weeks where boys have a little glint in their eye. They mean business. We are all hoping that is going to materialise on Saturday." He added that a meeting last Wednesday allowed players to openly address feelings of not pulling their weight, emphasizing the importance of moving forward positively.
Inspirational Words and Trophy Incident
The squad also drew inspiration from two-time Olympic skeleton gold medallist Matt Weston, who shared his experiences of overcoming setbacks, including a disappointing performance at the Beijing Winter Olympics. His four-year plan resonated with players, drawing parallels to World Cup cycles and the challenges they face.
In unrelated news, the Six Nations trophy has been damaged beyond repair in a vehicle fire in Ireland. No injuries were reported, and the remains will be used to craft a new trophy, though it will not be ready for presentation this year, meaning winners will receive a replica.
