England Recall Marcus and Fin Smith as Genge Captains With Itoje on Bench for Fiji Test

Overview

• Steve Borthwick makes seven changes to the XV, starting Fin Smith at fly-half and Marcus Smith at full-back for Saturday’s Twickenham Test.
• Ellis Genge captains with Maro Itoje named among the replacements as co-captain, a first bench role for the lock in an England Test since 2017.
• Chandler Cunningham-South earns a first Test start at No. 8, with Ben Earl shifting to openside flanker and Tommy Freeman moving to the wing.
• George Ford is omitted from the matchday 23, with a 6–2 bench split featuring Ben Spencer and Henry Arundell as the only backline cover.
• Fiji confirm a potent backline led by fly-half Caleb Muntz with Josua Tuisova in midfield, as England adjust after injuries to Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck and the ineligibility-triggered exit of Tom Willis.