Sir Clive Woodward, the former head coach of the England national team, has lauded Steve Borthwick's choices, but has disclosed that he would have made two additional alterations.
Borthwick is counting on a revamped central partnership to assist Owen Farrell in breaking through Italy's defense in the upcoming Six Nations match on Sunday, with Marcus Smith relegated to a reserve role.
DITCHING THE FARRELL-SMITH PARTNERSHIP:
Woodward wrote: "Borthwick’s decision to start Farrell at No 10 for Sunday’s clash with Italy and drop Smith to the bench was absolutely the right one. I applaud him for that.
"At the end of his tenure, Jones seemed wedded to a 10-12 partnership of Smith and Farrell despite it clearly not working.
"Borthwick has drawn a line in the sand by opting for Farrell. I can pay him no higher compliment than to say that’s exactly what I would have done.
"Every English rugby fan has got an opinion on it. I’ve talked until I’ve been blue in the face about the need to play either Smith or Farrell, but not both.
"It is now abundantly clear that Borthwick is not afraid to make big, bold decisions and that is what you need as the head coach of an international team."
SEE WOODWARD'S CHANGES ON PAGE TWO
#1. Henry Arundell for Ollie Hassell-Collins
Woodward wrote: "Arundell is going to be something truly special. I don’t expect it to be long before he is an automatic first choice but he is also just coming back from injury so a bench spot is probably right."
Henry Arundell of London Irish during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Bath Rugby at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 1 October 2022 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
#2. Manu Tuilagi for Ollie Lawrence
Woodward wrote: " Tuilagi hasn’t been at his best so far this season so I can understand why Lawrence is getting a shot.
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
