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The 22-year-old Fin Smith has been named as the starting flyhalf for the game, while Marcus Smith, who has been the regular backline marshal, has been moved to fullback.
Despite his age, there are those who believe Fin Smith’s game is better suited to international rugby. While it will be his tenth Test, it will be first time that he runs onto the field as a starter. The 8th-man Tom Willis also earns a first start for the English.
The Northampton Saints pivot, Fin Smith, said it has always been his dream to don the number ten jersey worn by his heroes, Jonny Wilkinson and Owen Farrell, especially at the Home of English Rugby.
“I’m very excited – it’s any young boy’s dream to wear the 10 shirt for England,” said Smith.
“I grew up watching some of the greats – Jonny, Faz, those guys – so to be told that I’m going to be wearing that shirt this weekend was pretty surreal, and I’m raring to go.
“I love watching Jonny – I’ve said it before in an interview, but I think a lot of five- or six-year-olds grew up watching cartoons and whatnot. I’d have Jonny’s best moments on tape and would watch those back, which is a bit weird, but I loved him.
“I’m a massive fan of him, and some of his kicking and defensive bits were things I really looked up to growing up.”
Smith added that facing the French in the Six Nations will certainly not be easy due to their big forwards and physicality but welcomes the challenge that lies ahead.
Marcus Smith – X
“They’ve got some massive forwards. At the same time, they’ve also got some rapid backs, so having the balance between trying to be physical enough while also being aware that they can move the ball at any time to some of their speedsters is key.
“We’ll be working really hard on that, but fingers crossed it’s all good.”
Saturday’s eagerly anticipated game between England and France at Twickenham kicks off at 18:45.
In the weekend’s other Six Nations games – Italy will tackle Wales at 16:15 in Rome, on Sunday at 17:00, Scotland will face the defending champions, Ireland, at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
England – 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements – 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly
France -15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements -16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
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Publish date : 2025-02-07 06:31:17
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