Europe 1 with AFP 8:08 p.m., March 9, 2023

The XV of England was unveiled before the Crunch against France, Saturday at 5:45 p.m.

England coach Steve Borthwick made strong choices by deciding not to field Owen Farrell.

Marcus Smith will be on the pitch at Twickenham at kick-off.

England coach Steve Borthwick chose Thursday to leave his captain Owen Farrell on the bench and establish Marcus Smith at the opening for the reception of France during the fourth day of the Six Nations Tournament on Saturday at Twickenham (5:45 p.m.).

Farrell (31, 104 caps) had not missed the kickoff of a major international match, barring injury, since the opening match of the 2015 World Cup against Fiji.

Apart from a fall test against Japan in 2018, a warm-up game against the Welsh in 2019 and a group game against the lowly United States at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Farrell has always been one of the first names lying in the starting XV.

Farrell could also have been established in the center, but the coach preferred him Ollie Lawrence, very good in the last two days.

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Return to a traditional game

In the absence of the second line or flanker Courtney Lawes, hit in the shoulder and who will no longer be able to play competition, it is the pillar Ellis Genge (28 years old, 46 selections), who will be captain for this shock whose loser will give up all hope of eventual victory in the Tournament.

Genge was captain of the English champions Leicester side last year with Borthwick as coach.

The latter had however confirmed Farrell as captain five weeks ago, when he replaced Eddie Jones after a series of disappointing performances.

Himself a former captain of the XV de la Rose, Borthwick had lined up Smith and Farrell in the first match of the Tournament against Scotland, which ended in a 29-23 defeat at Twickenham, Farrell playing in 12. But in the following two matches, Farrell was back at the opener, Smith settling for eight minutes against Italy (31-14) and 14 seconds against Wales (20-10).

Former second line, Borthwick seemed to have opted for a return to a very traditional game, relying on a solid package of forwards and a game at the foot of occupation.

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Farrell disappointing

But by trusting Smith again, 24, a very sure-footed player but above all capable of dazzling ball in hand, he seems to change his mind and follow the path taken by Ireland, capable of beating the French defending champions. almost at their own game in Dublin, in February (32-19).

Left at the disposal of his club, Harlequins, last weekend, Smith had shown the full extent of his talent during a 40-5 victory against Exeter, of which he had been voted man of the match.

His five successful transformations out of six attempted, while Farrell only shows a mediocre and very unusual 47% success rate in the Tournament this year, has undoubtedly finished convincing the English coach, present in the stands.

If Ireland, which has filled up with fifteen points in three days, is the only team to still be able to achieve the Grand Slam, France, England and Scotland, which precisely receives Ireland, are in ambush with ten units.

On the last day, the English will travel to Dublin, while the French will host Wales and Scotland will face Italy.