England faded badly in the second half of their Six Nations opener against Ireland and now Steve Borthwick must decide whether to be radical or measured in response to another defeat.
Borthwick’s options are limited for what promises to be an exacting second match of the championship against France, but England supporters are thirsting for change.
Telegraph Rugby writers pick their XV for the match at Twickenham and give their reasoning.
Roebuck on the right
It is time to start both Smiths, with Marcus dropping to full-back. If the intent is to play with a high tempo game, starting Marcus at full-back will pose a counter-attacking threat and second play-maker to make up for the absence of George Furbank, while Fin Smith will bring a more structured attacking framework. England’s back three were exposed defensively and aerially at critical moments in Dublin. France will have taken note so Roebuck comes onto the right wing and the only change should see Ollie Chessum promoted to six to give England more line-out options and heft.
Start Chessum to disrupt France line-out
England cannot simply go again with their Dublin template against a French pack that would chew them up like a crusty croissant. It requires something daring and bold to spring an almighty upset. So let’s break glass on Marcus to 15 and aim to rule the air with Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman on the wings and Fin Smith at fly-half.
France’s other vulnerability lies in the line-out so in comes Ollie Chessum while Tom Willis, who takes time to grow into the game, can shoulder the carrying burden at No 8. Ben Earl and Ben Curry can add plenty of fire and fury as part of a 6-2 split with Ben Spencer’s box kicking.
Marcus Smith to 15 and bench the Bens
You do not hang tough for an hour in Dublin without doing plenty of things well, but I have changed things up a bit. France favour long kicking, so this would be the week to trial Marcus Smith as a wildcard at full-back. Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman are the best wings available from an aerial standpoint, so they make up the back three with Fin Smith at fly-half and the versatile Elliot Daly among the replacements.
In a bid to energise England’s second half, I have split up the back row and benched both Bens. They will be tasked with repeating their first half-hour at the end of Saturday’s encounter. Tom Willis is familiar with French opposition and Ollie Chessum’s line-out nous feels important as a means of alleviating the pressure on Maro Itoje and delivering a platform. Ted Hill usurps Chandler Cunningham-South on the bench, with Ben Spencer and Jamie George also coming in.
Start Fin Smith and change the back row
That’s right, a change at No 10. I need to see how England look for an extended spell with Fin Smith running the show. There is a suggestion that it might give them a bit more structure, which feels necessary. Reluctantly have to drop Cadan Murley because while he took his try well, there were too many mistakes positionally in defence and under the high ball.
Did the back-row ploy work? I liked the innovation but it felt a bit gimmicky and a move away from what England can actually do well: dominate set-piece and maul. Ollie Chessum just makes them better. Similar feelings about Tom Willis at No 8 to Fin Smith at fly-half – we need to see what it looks like.
Is it ideal changing those two positions up against France of all teams? Of course not. But England have won five out of 13 Tests now since the Rugby World Cup – of which two wins were against a rebuilding Japan – so this is the time to tinker.
Two Smiths and Willis from the start
In what is likely to be a far more open, expansive game than what we saw in Dublin, it is the time for Smith at full-back. With the resources at England’s disposal, there is simply no point in just trying to contain France. England are going to have to take the game to Les Bleus to stand a chance. To that end, Marcus slides to 15 and namesake Fin starts at 10, with Ollie Sleightholme coming for injury-doubt Cadan Murley. Otherwise the backline is the same as Dublin. After all, it went well for 50 minutes… two changes up front, both on the back row where Ollie Chessum and Tom Willis come in to add line-out nous and a greater ball-carrying threat.
Tom Curry and Ben Earl - neither of whom could be criticised after Dublin - drop to the bench to bring energy and aggression in a period when England lack it. Ted Hill and Bevan Rodd, too. Ben Spencer can hopefully add control and Tom Roebuck raw finishing ability if England are within a score late on.
Drop Slade, bring in Daly and revamp the back row
I remain unconvinced by Steve Borthwick’s persistence with Henry Slade, who in his 69 Test appearances has too often faded from view. While the centre partnership with Ollie Lawrence might be settled, it has too often malfunctioned en route to an England defeat. If the head coach is still emphasising his team’s inexperience, it seems high time to take a different approach with Elliot Daly at 13, the position where he first made his name.
Cadan Murley, sadly, made two too many elementary errors against Ireland, necessitating the return of a free-scoring Ollie Sleightholme. Ollie Chessum is restored for his line-out presence, while Tom Willis can seize the chance against France to show what it means to be a hard-hitting, straight-running No 8.
