UPDATE: Another England star is a huge injury doubt for the 2024 Six Nations

Adding to the woes, Harlequins' dynamic playmaker Smith sustained a calf injury during Monday's England training session, necessitating crutches and scans.

While awaiting a second opinion, England is conducting comprehensive examinations on Smith's calf to determine the timeline for his return to the field.

The injury woes have plunged England into a worsening crisis, but head coach Borthwick remains optimistic about the resilience of the reshuffled XV set to take on Rome.

The uncapped 21-year-old fly-half from Northampton, Fin Smith, is now poised for a potential Test debut, with his impressive form for the Saints possibly earning him a starting role.

● The last time Italy hosted England in the Six Nations (2022) they failed to score a point as they lost 33-0, it was the first time they’d failed to score a single point against England in the Championship and the sixth and most recent time against any opposition in the tournament. 

● Italy come into this match off the back of two 50+ point defeats in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, against New Zealand and France, only once in their previous 50 Test matches had they suffered a defeat of this magnitude and not since 1999 had they endured back-to-back losses by such a margin (both v South Africa), they’ve never lost three consecutive matches by 50+ points.

RUCK.co.uk examines the top six highest-paid players in the world. We've based our figures on reports from trusted news sources and databases to boost our accuracy.

All figures mentioned are before tax – unless specified – and do not include bonuses, extra fees and players' various sponsorship deals which, in some cases, can instantly double their annual income.

During his tenure at Montpellier, the Springbok fly-half was known as one of the highest-earning players in the sport, purportedly receiving an annual salary exceeding one million.

However, his transfer to Leicester Tigers entailed a reduction in pay, although he is still believed to be earning a respectable sum at Welford Road.

The Les Bleus’ talisman is undoubtedly leading one of the most exciting teams on the international stage, all while helping to change the perception of the sport.

The only Welshman on this list, Biggar was previously earning around £600,000 at Northampton Saints, having joined the Gallagher Premiership side from the Ospreys. However, he recently left the Saints to join French giants Toulon, where he is reportedly earning around £800,000.

When Itoje was rumoured to be interested in joining Racing 92 two years ago, club president Jacky Lorenzetti let slip that the lock wanted 1million euros for the deal to go through. Exact figures on Itoje's current salary at Saracens vary but it is reported that his new deal will be around £1m per season following the departure of Farrell.

The Scotland fly-half, known for his unpredictable nature, had previously earned an annual salary of £850,000 while playing for Racing 92.

However, his recent agreement with Premiership club Bath is believed to be even more financially rewarding.

Speculations put his new deal at approximately £950,000, though certain sources indicate that it could reach an impressive £1 million per year for the entire three-year duration of his contract at the Rec.

The exclusive scoop was first reported by RUCK earlier today, revealing an agreement between Saracens and the Parisian club.

The Telegraph later confirmed the blockbuster move, disclosing that Farrell has officially inked a three-year deal with Racing 92.

A statement from Racing read: “Racing 92 can confirm the signing of Owen Farrell (32) for our men’s team. The England international has joined for two seasons and will join up with the ciel et blanc from July 1 2024.”

One report in France indicates that the former England captain could be earning up to £1.2m per season.

In the storied history of Rugby's Greatest Championship, exceptional leaders have emerged—warriors of various forms, be they agile half-backs, towering second rows, or fearless flankers.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

Surnames only will be accepted.