England have backed Owen Farrell to lead the team at flyhalf as Steve Borthwick looks for a response in the second-round Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday.
In the wake of the opening-round loss to Scotland, Borthwick has made three changes to England’s starting lineup to face the Azzurri.
The major change sees the criticised 10-12 partnership between Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell broken up. Smith has been named on the bench, while Farrell will start at No 10.
As a result, there is a new midfield in Ollie Lawrence and outside centre Henry Slade.
In the only change to the pack, Jack Willis comes in at openside flanker for Ben Curry, who has been left out of the matchday squad entirely.
There are three further changes on the bench, where there is a potential debut for replacement hooker Jack Walker, while fit-again Henry Arundell and Alex Mitchell are set to make their returns.
England – 15 Freddie Steward; 14 Max Malins, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins; 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Lewis Ludlam; 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje; 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs:16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Henry Arundell.
Photo: Paul Harding/Getty Images)