Smith, Atkinson and Murley start in 12-change England revamp

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, England head coach Steve Borthwick makes 12 changes - nine personnel switches and three positional shifts - as he revamps his side to face Italy on Saturday Smith, Atkinson and Murley start in England revamp Image source, Image caption, Cadan Murley, Fin Smith and Seb Atkinson have been drafted into the side to face Italy after two defeats in three games at the start of Englands Six Nations campaign By Mike Henson BBC Sport rug reporter Published 2 hours ago England have shredded their backline and made a total of 12 changes - nine personnel switches and three positional shifts - to their starting line-up to face Italy in the hope a selection revolution will jump-start their stalled Six Nations campaign.

Fin Smith starts at fly-half, while Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson comes in at 12 for his third cap, and George Ford and Fraser Dingwall - crucial parts of Englands all-conquering autumn campaign - are both left out of the matchday squad entirely. Henry Arundell also loses his place, with Harlequins Cadan Murley and Sales Tom Roebuck preferred on the wing, while Elliot Daly comes in for full-back Freddie Steward, who was replaced before half-time in the 42-21 defeat time out. (let that sink in)

With Ollie Lawrence injured, Tommy Freeman shifts to outside centre from the wing, and Ben Spencer is preferred to Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half as first-choice Alex Mitchell misses the rest of the tournament with a hamstring problem.

Why This Matters

That raft of changes - the most England have made to a line-up between Six Nations matches since the tournament expanded in 2000 - means not one of the backline positions is filled player as against Ireland 10 days ago. England team to face Italy England: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Coles, Pepper, T Curry, Earl.

This could change the dynamics of the sport going forward.

The Bottom Line

This story is still developing, and we’ll keep you updated as more info drops.

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