"Doesn't know what he's doing" - Danny Cipriani slams 'backwards' England selection

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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."

15. Freddie Steward

14. Max Malins

11. Anthony Watson

13. Henry Slade

12. Manu Tuilagi

10. Owen Farrell

9. Jack van Poortvliet

2. Jamie George

3. Kyle Sinkler

4. Maro Itoje

5. David Ribbans

6. Lewis Ludlam

7. Jack Willis

8. Alex Dombrandt

16. Dan Cole

17. Mako Vunipola

18. Jack Walker

19. Nick Isiekwe

20. Ben Curry

21. Alex Mitchell

22. George Ford or Marcus Smith

23. Henry Arundell