Six Nations: Fin Smith comes into revamped England team to face Italy
BBC World
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
England’s rugby team has undergone a major overhaul with 12 changes—nine personnel swaps and three positional shifts—as they prepare to face Italy in the Six Nations. Head coach Steve Borthwick has completely revamped the starting lineup, with no backline players from the previous match against Ireland remaining. Key changes include Fin Smith starting at fly-half and Seb Atkinson making his third cap at centre, while notable omissions are George Ford, Fraser Dingwall, and Henry Arundell. The team’s backline will also see new faces like Cadan Murley on the wing and Elliot Daly in full-back.
The drastic changes reflect Borthwick’s frustration with England’s recent performances, which have fallen short of expectations after a stellar year of 12 consecutive wins. Following losses to Scotland and Ireland, Borthwick emphasized the need for fresh energy and form, hoping the new selections will rejuvenate the squad. While forwards like Luke Cowan-Dickie and Alex Mitchell are also being rotated or rested, the backline transformation is particularly significant, with players like Atkinson and Murley stepping up after proving their fitness.
Borthwick acknowledged the team’s disappointment but expressed optimism for the future match in Rome. Italy, despite losing key players like Ange Capuozzo, has shown strong performances against Scotland and France, making this game a crucial test for England’s new-look squad. The coach stressed the importance of moving forward and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the revamped lineup.
This shift is the most extensive England has made between Six Nations matches since 2000, signaling a bold strategy to reignite their campaign. With high stakes and a determined focus on improvement, fans will be watching closely to see if Borthwick’s changes yield positive results against Italy. The match offers both teams a chance to prove their resilience and adaptability in a highly anticipated clash.
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 3/3/2026