Borthwick rolls dice with Marcus Smith a ‘gamechanger’ for England after switch

Marcus Smith (left) and Fin Smith will be lining up alongside each other in England’s Six Nations match against France. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Steve Borthwick believes Marcus Smith can be England’s “gamechanger” against France after shifting the Harlequins playmaker to full-back and handing Fin Smith a first start at fly-half for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations clash.

Marcus Smith has started England’s last eight Tests at fly-half but, with Borthwick keen to exploit his sparkling talents from deep and introduce a second playmaker to the side, the head coach has rolled the dice as he seeks to end a miserable run of seven defeats in nine matches.