England pick Farrell over Smith at fly-half for Italy

Owen Farrell (left) will replace Marcus Smith (right) as England's fly-half against Italy at Twickenham

England head coach Steve Borthwick has dropped Marcus Smith and chosen Owen Farrell to start at fly-half against Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday.

Ollie Lawrence partners Henry Slade in a totally new centre partnership, with Joe Marchant not in the 23.

Jack Willis is one of the flankers while London Irish wing Henry Arundell is among the replacements.

England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Hassell-Collins; Farrell (c), Van Pooertvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell

The big decision for Borthwick surrounded who he would choose at fly-half and it is Harlequins' Smith, who has yet to consistently show his club form on the international stage, who has paid the price for last weekend's loss to Scotland.

Exeter's Slade returns from a hip injury to partner the in-form Lawrence, while Marchant - starter alongside Farrell last week - not even a replacement.

The only other change in the side is Willis being named at openside flanker in place of Ben Curry, who like Marchant is left out of the matchday squad altogether.

England will be looking to recover from their opening defeat by Scotland and claim the first win of Borthwick's tenure.

"Notwithstanding the disappointment of last weekend's Calcutta Cup result, we know that in a very short space of time positive steps have been taken towards the manner and style in which we want to play," said Borthwick.

"We are at the start of what is a completely new cycle. The implementation of new systems does take time.

"I have selected a team that I believe is best placed to meet the specific challenges that Italy will bring. It is a selection of players whose form, individual strengths and combined qualities suit the way we want to play against Italy."

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