Marcus Smith, English rugby’s golden boy, has been dropped by Steve Borthwick and told to play for his club this weekend.
The Harlequins fly-half, given just 14 seconds off the bench in the win over Wales, was omitted from England’s training camp in his home city of Brighton.
George Ford, who only recently returned to action for his club Sale after eight months out with a ruptured Achilles, gets the nod instead as the second fly-half.
Ironically, Smith will now get to start on the same Twickenham pitch where England face France in round four of the Six Nations - playing for Quins against Exeter Chiefs.
Borthwick said: “We make the decision on which players would benefit more from being in training or game time. The decision was that Marcus would benefit from game time at his club this weekend and having that match sharpness.
“I'm not picking a squad for next week, that squad will be decided and distributed as it normally is on the Sunday evening.
Ford and captain Owen Farrell have combined at 10 and 12 in a number of England’s previous wins over France.
“I think the best decision is for Marcus to get some game time and there’s an opportunity for me to work with George over the next couple of days. He is looking tremendously sharp and in great condition, and is clearly a very experienced player."
“We’re blessed with plenty of options there,” Borthwick added. “So on a weekly basis you’re making a decision on what is the right thing for the player this week, to be then ready to play for England.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Marcus playing this weekend. When you add in Owen, and Fin Smith who has been in camp and I've been hugely impressed by, it shows we're in a position where we're blessed to have a number of top quality players.”
