Danny Cipirani believes Steve Borthwick either doesn’t know what he’s doing or lacks compassion following reports he’s set to drop Marcus Smith
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Instead, the England boss is planning to use the same midfield trio that upset Ireland four years ago as England prepare to face them again in Dublin.
According to the Mail Online, the trio of captain Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, and Henry Slade will be redeployed for the upcoming match.
“I’m disappointed. I had been hoping that England would stick with Marcus Smith at 10 against Ireland but it looks like he is going to be dropped again,” wrote Cipriani.
“If he is left out, I don’t think it will damage him because he’s a tough character. It would tell me more about Steve Borthwick than about Marcus. It could show that he is uncertain about what he is doing as a coach, or that he has a lack of compassion for individuals. That’s just how I view it.
“The right call would have been to give Marcus another chance. Borthwick made the decision last week to go with him, so I really thought he should be backed and given the next four or five games, leading up to the World Cup.
“By the end of that period, England could be really singing, dancing and playing to his theme tune. If they put the right pieces around him, he can get the whole team buzzing. It didn’t work out against France but there is still so much exciting potential.”
LEAKED ENGLAND XV: Mail Online
15. Freddie Steward
14. Max Malins
11. Anthony Watson
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi
