Good times for a change? Borthwick pairs playmaker Smiths against France

Today at 09:07 AM

• Fin Smith at fly-half for England as Marcus shifts to 15
• Sleightholme replaces injured Murley on wing

Steve Borthwick has handed a first England start to the fly-half Fin Smith and shifted Marcus Smith to fullback as he seeks to end his side's dismal run of form against France on Saturday. Tom Willis will also make a first start having been given the nod at No 8 while Ollie Sleightholme comes in for the injured Cadan Murley on the left wing.

Fin Smith, 22, has seven caps but all his appearances have been made from the bench to date. He played the final 16 minutes of last weekend's 27-22 defeat by Ireland, with namesake Marcus moving to fullback, and Borthwick has rolled the dice and paired them together from the off for the visit of France. Jamie George is named among the replacements having missed last weekend's defeat as England look to arrest a run of seven defeats in nine matches and keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.