Three players Steve Borthwick must drop despite win – and who should replace them

Yesterday at 03:25 PM

England pulled off a stunning late win against France as Elliot Daly crossed for a dramatic 79th-minute try, sending the Allianz Stadium into a frenzy.

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Fly-half Fin Smith, making his first Test start, showed nerves of steel to slot the crucial conversion, sealing a thrilling victory over the tournament favourites.

It was a chaotic, error-strewn contest, but England found a way to win. Replacement prop Fin Baxter powered over to edge them in front, only for France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey to dance his way over moments later. But England refused to go quietly, and when Smith's perfectly timed pop pass put Daly into space, the Saracens man sprinted through to snatch the win.

After their opening-round defeat to Ireland, another loss would have all but ended England's Six Nations hopes. Instead, Borthwick's men head to Murrayfield with the Calcutta Cup in their sights, and a realistic shot at their first title since 2020.

However, if England want to build on this momentum, changes are needed. Below, we look at three players Borthwick must drop – and who should come in.

1. Marcus Smith

Verdict: England's full-back experiment needs rethinking

Despite his undeniable talent, the decision to play Smith at full-back remains a major talking point. His kicking off the tee was wayward, and he struggled defensively, nearly gifting a try when Bielle-Biarrey ripped the ball from his grasp.

• Evening Standard – 5/10: "Struggled defensively… Kicking off the tee was poor, too."
• Telegraph – 4/10: "Turned most things to lead… threw himself in front of Alex Mitchell's pass."
• Express – 5/10: "Missed key kicks and was taken off kicking duty after Baxter's try."
• Planet Rugby – 4/10: "His reactions will be mixed… errors were to be expected, but his kicking woes made things difficult."

Replacement: Freddie Steward

Steward has been a rock at full-back for England over the past few years, and while Smith offers attacking flair, Steward's reliability under the high ball and defensive security make him the obvious choice to return.

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