Marcus Smith at full-back, Fin Smith will be fly-half
Genge to captain side as Borthwick makes seven changes
Steve Borthwick has recalled Marcus and Fin Smith and named his captain Maro Itoje on the bench for England’s autumn internationals clash with Fiji. Ellis Genge will lead the side from the start with Borthwick ringing the changes for Saturday’s encounter with the Pacific Islanders.
Marcus Smith comes in at full-back with namesake Fin replacing George Ford at fly-half while Itoje drops to the bench. Itoje, who exceeded the mandated game limits last season, is listed as co-captain along with Genge, who starts at loosehead prop. In total, Borthwick has made seven personnel changes with Ollie Lawrence, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alex Coles and Chandler Cunningham-South coming into the side. Tommy Freeman reverts to the right wing while Henry Pollock must make do with a place on the bench again.
Marcus Smith last started for England in their record victory over Wales in Cardiff in March and is again handed the No 15 jersey despite his preference to play at fly-half. Freddie Steward, who started at full-back in last weekend’s victory over Australia, has been struggling with a hand injury and is absent from the 23. Fin Smith, meanwhile, ousts Ford from the No 10 jersey having been among the replacements against the Wallabies.
