England ring the changes as Marcus Smith and Fin Smith both start against Fiji

England have overhauled their team for Saturday’s match against Fiji with full-back Marcus Smith and fly-half Fin Smith given starts at Allianz Stadium.

Ellis Genge will lead the team as one of two co-captains, the second being regular skipper Maro Itoje, who is named on the bench for the first time since 2017.

There are only eight survivors from the 25-7 victory over Australia that opened the autumn and just six retain the same starting jersey, with Tommy Freeman moving to the wing and Ben Earl slotting in at openside flanker.

Earl’s back row move is to accommodate Chandler Cunningham-South’s first start at number eight as head coach Steve Borthwick looks to build depth in the position following Tom Willis’ decision to join Bordeaux next season.

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Recover

Ollie Lawrence makes his first appearance of the autumn having completed his recovery from the ruptured Achilles that ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Lawrence partners Fraser Dingwall in midfield and they will operate outside the fly-half, who has ousted George Ford from the number 10 jersey against the Islanders.

Ford misses out on the 23 altogether as Borthwick sticks with a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench, with Ben Spencer and Henry Arundell providing cover behind the scrum and Henry Pollock keeping his super-sub role.

Freddie Steward hasn’t recovered from his hand injury, so Marcus takes over at full-back after missing the Wallabies victory entirely.

If Fin Smith picks up an injury during the match, Marcus will step in as chief conductor.

Improving

The ankle problem suffered by Tom Roebuck results in Freeman’s return to the wing after being tried out at outside centre against Australia.

“It was a pleasing start to the series against Australia last weekend and we know we’ll need to take another step forward against Fiji,” Borthwick said.

“The focus for us this week is on improving on last weekend’s performance and continuing to develop our game.

“Fiji are a dangerous team with power and quality right across the pitch. They play with physicality and skill, so we’ll need to bring intensity, accuracy and discipline in everything that we do.”

England team

M Smith (Harlequins); T Freeman (Northampton Saints), O Lawrence (Bath Rugby), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs); F Smith (Northampton Saints), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints); E Genge (Bristol Bears, co-captain), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), A Coles (Northampton Saints), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), G Pepper (Bath Rugby), B Earl (Saracens), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins).

Replacements: J George (Saracens), F Baxter (Harlequins), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), M Itoje (Saracens, co-captain), T Curry (Sale Sharks), H Pollock (Northampton Saints), B Spencer (Bath Rugby), H Arundell (Bath Rugby).

READ MORE: England face full-back dilemma with Freddie Steward doubtful for Fiji clash