England head coach Steve Borthwick has named Marcus Smith in a 27-player squad ahead of their Six Nations clash with France, as George Ford is left out.
Smith, who was released from the squad last week in order to gain valuable action with his club Harlequins, looks set to feature off the bench this Saturday.
That means Smith is likely to once again cover for captain Owen Farrell, who has started the country’s last two Championship games, against Italy and Wales.
Ford heads back to Sale
Ford will now head back to Premiership side Sale Sharks after a stint back in the international fold where he’ll have hoped to have impressed at the sessions.
There was some bad news for England, however, with Courtney Lawes also leaving the group due to a shoulder problem that rules him out of the France clash.
The Northampton Saints flanker’s season had already been hindered by concussion, neck, glute and calf problems, with this the latest setback for the player.
Another blow for Lawes
Lawes missed England’s first two games of the Championship but played 12 minutes off the bench against Wales at the Principality Stadium last time out.
England head coach Borthwick names his starting XV on Thursday lunchtime as they look to claim what would be a notable Six Nations scalp against Les Bleus.
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The Red Rose currently sit in third position on the 2023 table with Scotland in second and France fourth, the trio locked on 10 points apiece after three rounds.
🪜 A reminder of the table going into Round Four. #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/HscU6lzMLU
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 6, 2023
A win over Les Bleus could set up a possible title decider against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, March 18. The Irish face Scotland this week.
However, defeat to Fabien Galthie’s France would see the English battling to finish in the top half of the Six Nations standings in Borthwick’s first year in charge.
England squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis
Backs: Henry Arundell, Owen Farrell, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson