Borthwick Executes Radical Back Line Overhaul as England Prepare for High-Stakes Six Nations Clash in Rome

England head coach Steve Borthwick makes nine changes for the Italy test, debuting a new back line with Fin Smith and Seb Atkinson starting in Rome.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 11:13 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

A Decisive Pivot Following Consecutive Championship Defeats

England’s coaching staff has signaled a dramatic change in direction by making wholesale structural adjustments to the squad ahead of their trip to the Stadio Olimpico. After suffering back-to-back losses against Scotland and Ireland, Steve Borthwick has opted for an experimental approach that sees nine new faces enter the starting XV. This tactical reset is an apparent attempt to reignite an offense that stalled during the middle stages of the Six Nations, ending a prior twelve-game winning run and leaving the side sitting in a disappointing fourth place on the tournament table.

Reconstructing the Offensive Engine Room

The most significant modifications have occurred within the back line, where nearly every position has been reevaluated. Fin Smith has been handed the flyhalf role in place of the veteran George Ford, while Seb Atkinson joins a refurbished midfield. Tommy Freeman is the only back-line player to retain his starting status from the previous fixture, though even he has been shifted from the wing to outside centre. While injuries to scrumhalf Alex Mitchell and centre Ollie Lawrence forced Borthwick’s hand in some areas, the omission of established regulars like Freddie Steward suggests a broader dissatisfaction with recent performances.

Navigating the Psychological Pressure of the Italian Test

Although Italy has never defeated England in their thirty-two previous encounters, the current atmosphere surrounding the English camp has created a rare window of opportunity for the Azzurri. Italy’s form has been steadily improving just as England’s momentum has wavered, leading many analysts to believe that home advantage in Rome could result in a historic upset. Borthwick has acknowledged the specific threat posed by the Italians, stating that the selected team has been specifically chosen to meet the high-performance standards required to neutralize a confident opposition in their home stadium.