England head coach Steve Borthwick has dropped Marcus Smith to the bench for the Six Nations clash with Italy, with Henry Slade also missing out in a refreshed backline. Smith had started England’s last 10 Tests,

England have dropped Marcus Smith to the bench for Sunday’s game against Italy with Elliot Daly taking his place at full-back, as first revealed by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday. Daly has come off the bench in England’s last two Six Nations matches and scored the winning try in their 16-15 victory over France.

England have dropped Marcus Smith to the bench and brought in Fraser Dingwall to the centres in place of the axed Henry Slade in a major shake-up of the backs for Sunday’s must-win Six Nations match at home to Italy.