Six Nations 2026: England vs Italy set to see sweeping changes

Head coach Steve Borthwick is set to make sweeping changes to his backline as he attempts to revive England’s Six Nations campaign in Italy on Saturday.

Two injuries and one positional change could mean not a single position in the back line is occupied by the same player as in the last match against Ireland.

Northampton’s Finn Smith is set to start at fly-half in place of George Ford while Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson is set to be England’s inside center in Rome.

With outside midfielder Ollie Lawrence ruled out with a knee problem, Tommy Freeman is likely to move down the wing and resume his midfield role.

It means Tom Roebuck is set to return to the starting line-up to replace Freeman, with Kadan Morley tipped to start on the other wing in place of Henry Arundel.

George Furbank was expected to come in at full-back, but instead Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly are thought to be in contention to replace Freddie Steward.

The Leicester full-back was substituted at half-time as England fell behind en route to an eventual 42-21 defeat by Ireland.

With Alex Mitchell injured, it is understood that Ben Spencer is the starting half of the squad.

England centurion Danny Kerr says tapping into Daly’s experience could be vital in a high-pressure game.

“He’s got a big left boot,” Kerr told Rugby Union Weekly of Daly, who won 74 caps for England and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions.

“He played a great aerial game as well. He’s certainly been there and done that before in the biggest Test matches.”