Steve Borthwick’s selection shows England’s desperation – but there is logic behind bold calls

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Fin Smith is set for his first international start having been picked at fly-half “It’s an exciting partnership,” the head coach said. In the absence of George Furbank, Borthwick feels that Marcus Smith is the man to spark his side on the counter-attack, as he did in the build-up to Cadan Murley’s try in Dublin last week. open image in gallery Antoine Dupont was often positioned in a wider channel for France against Wales, shooting out of the line to make tackles open image in gallery Dupont closes the corner with a well-timed read, preventing Nick Tompkins from getting a pass away to exploit the space beyond him It feels strange to target someone so good, but if France return to the tactic against England, look for Marcus Smith to try to get to the outside of Dupont as a second receiver behind Fin Smith and a pod of forward carriers. England XV to face France : 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Tom Willis; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Marcus Smith 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.