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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher in Aix-en-Provence

Borthwick to gamble on Farrell and Smith with Ford set for England axe

Owen Farrell George Ford Steve Borthwick Marcus Smith England Fiji World Cup Jamie George Twickenham
George Ford and Owen Farrell in training
George Ford is set to lose his place in the England team with Owen Farrell poised to be selected at fly-half to face Fiji in their quarter-final. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Steve Borthwick appears set to axe George Ford and install his captain Owen Farrell at fly-half for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Fiji with Marcus Smith expected to be given the nod at full-back.

In what would represent two of the boldest selection calls of Borthwick’s tenure, the captain Farrell is likely to revert to the No 10 jersey with the head coach – who announces his team on Friday – primed to employ Smith as the second playmaker from full-back.

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