- Smith in line to feature against France after starring for Quins
- Jonny Wilkinson brought in to boost Farrell’s kicking
Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell are going head to head for the England No 10 jersey against France after both were retained in a trimmed down squad with the latter enlisting the help of Jonny Wilkinson to solve his goalkicking troubles before the crunch Six Nations match in Saturday.
Steve Borthwick cut George Ford from his squad on Tuesday, leaving the recently recalled Smith in line to make the 23-man squad against France and vying with Farrell for the fly‑half berth. In a blow for the England head coach, however, Courtney Lawes has been ruled out of the rest of the championship with a shoulder injury.
Written by Gerard Meagher
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/07/ford-dropped-england-squad-france-borthwick-smith-rugby-union-six-nations under the title “Ford dropped from England squad to face France as Borthwick opts for Smith”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
