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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Duncan Bech

BIZARRE: Marcus smith dropped by england as steve borthwick shuffles midfield pack - What They Never Told You

Marcus Smith Steve Borthwick Owen Farrell England Henry Slade Ollie Lawrence Italy Six Nations
Getty Images

England have broken up their contentious playmaking axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell as part of a revamped midfield selected for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy.

Having started the last eight Tests together, Smith has been demoted to the bench to accommodate Owen Farrell’s selection at fly-half instead of inside centre.

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