England's Six Nations Lineup Shocks Fans: Fin Smith Leads a Bold New Backline
In a move that’s already sparking debates among rugby enthusiasts, England has unveiled its starting XV for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Italy (Saturday, 16:40 GMT), and it’s anything but predictable. But here’s where it gets controversial... Fin Smith, a rising star, has been handed the fly-half role, while Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson steps into the 12 jersey for his third cap. Meanwhile, George Ford and Fraser Dingwall—key figures in England’s dominant autumn campaign—have been completely omitted from the matchday squad. Is this a bold gamble or a misstep?
And this is the part most people miss... The backline reshuffle doesn’t stop there. Henry Arundell finds himself benched, with Harlequins’ Cadan Murley and Sale’s Tom Roebuck taking the wings. Elliot Daly replaces Freddie Steward at full-back, following Steward’s early exit in the 42-21 loss to Ireland. With Ollie Lawrence sidelined due to injury, Tommy Freeman shifts from the wing to outside centre, and Ben Spencer gets the nod over Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half, as first-choice Alex Mitchell remains out with a hamstring injury.
This lineup raises questions about England’s strategy and the future of its backline. Is Steve Borthwick prioritizing experimentation over consistency? Or is this a calculated risk to inject fresh energy into the team? One thing’s for sure: this match against Italy will be a litmus test for England’s new-look squad.
Here’s the full starting lineup:
England: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Coles, Pepper, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Chessum, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith.
What do you think of England’s bold selections? Is this the right move, or are they missing a trick? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
