Marcus Smith has been axed from England’s starting XV by boss Steve Borthwick ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy. The Harlequin star has started the last 10 Tests for England, eight at fly-half and games against France and Scotland at full-back, but now is out of the 15 altogether.

Elliot Daly is rewarded for two strong performances off the bench by being promoted to full-back with Smith amongst the replacements. Daly has not started a Test match at full-back since 2021 but is included to deal with Italy’s anticipated aerial bombardment.

Borthwick makes three changes to his starting team with Daly in and Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall, who will a third cap, in at centre for Exeter’s Henry Slade.

And Jamie George starts at hooker, after two appearances as a replacement, and will win his 100th England cap.

Borthwick said: “Reaching 100 caps is a wonderful achievement that reflects Jamie’s talent, dedication and hard work. He has consistently given his all while wearing an England shirt and the team couldn’t be prouder of his incredible milestone.”

Elsewhere on the bench, Leicester scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet returns after a knee injury and impressing for England A against Ireland the weekend before last.

It is a huge fall from grace for Smith who won his 42nd cap in the 16-15 win over the Scots and has been replaced as first-choice 10 by Northampton’s Fin Smith for the past two games.

England have shoehorned him at full-back, where he first played during the last World Cup, but he was defensively exposed by Scotland and his side could not get him involved in attack.

Dingwall’s promotion means Premiership champions Northampton provide five out of seven England backs.

England v Italy, 3pm, Sunday: E.Daly; T.Freeman, O.Lawrence, F.Dingwall, O.Sleightholme; F.Smith, A.Mitchell; E.Genge, J.George, W.Stuart, M.Itoje (capt), O.Chessum, T.Curry, B.Earl, T.Willis

Replacements: L.Cowan-Dickie, F.Baxter, J.Heyes, T.Hill, C.Cunningham-South, B.Curry, J.Van Poortvliet, M.Smith