England will be without fly-half Marcus Smith for their Six Nations clash with Italy on Saturday after he sustained a calf injury in Monday’s training session.
The 24-year-old was expected to start England’s opener in Rome, but Northampton’s Fin Smith now looks likely to make his international debut in place of the Harlequins man.
Steve Borthwick’s side have been beset by selection issues in the build-up to the Six Nations, with Owen Farrell and Joe Marchant unavailable and Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi injured.
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The retirements of Courtney Lawes and Jonny May have provided further headaches for Borthwick, who oversaw England’s encouraging run to the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup in France.
Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield was unable to provide a timeframe for Marcus Smith’s return on Monday, with England set to host Wales in their second game on February 10.
All roads lead to Rome…
Get ready for #ITAVENG on Saturday 🌹🙌#GUINNESSM6N PIC.TWITTER.COM/6JGCTHIX3B
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) JANUARY 29, 2024
“Marcus won’t make this weekend, sadly,” Sinfield said. “We got the scan report through but we are waiting to understand exactly what that means for us moving forward.”
Borthwick will be forced to name a handful of uncapped players in his 23-man matchday squad, including Fin Smith and his Northampton team-mate Fraser Dingwall, who is tipped to start at inside-centre.
Despite the disrupted nature of England’s preparations, new captain Jamie George is optimistic regarding their prospects, telling the Rugby Union Weekly podcast: “I’ve been so impressed with what I’ve seen from the boys.
“But I kind of knew that coming into camp because of the way the English teams have performed and the competition in the Premiership.”
