Six Nations 2023: Could England's centre pairing be key to unlocking Italy?

England caput manager Steve Borthwick is looking for the archetypal triumph of his tenure

England caput manager Steve Borthwick is relying connected a new-look centre pairing to assistance Owen Farrell unlock Italy's defence successful the Six Nations connected Sunday.

Farrell retains his starting relation by moving from wrong centre to regenerate Marcus Smith astatine fly-half.

Borthwick says his disposable options successful midfield helped marque his decision.

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"Having Slade disposable this week has been precise important," Borthwick said astatine Friday's quality conference.

"He wasn't disposable past week and having his organisation skills and his near ft kicking enactment is besides a large strength. Any squad that has the quality to person close and left-footed kickers successful the backline has a strength."

Borthwick, who was England's forwards manager betwixt 2015 and 2020, added: "I look backmost astatine immoderate of the games successful the archetypal play I was with the England squad arsenic an adjunct manager and the mode Henry played successful immoderate precise important games for us.

"I person been retired of the squad for 2 oregon 3 years but coming back, I can't archer you however impressed I person been with him and the determination helium has had to beryllium successful this team.

"He is intelligibly much experienced present and is simply a seasoned campaigner astatine nine and planetary level and helium has an outstanding skillset."

Farrell, Lawrence and Slade each commencement unneurotic for the 2nd time, the lone different juncture a decision against Scotland successful the 2021 Six Nations.

Lawrence, who volition marque his 4th England start, is rewarded for his nine signifier for Bath, wherever his physicality successful onslaught and defence has not gone unnoticed.

England struggled to interruption the gainline successful their opening decision by Scotland with Farrell astatine 12 and Marchant utilised arsenic a archetypal signifier ball-carrying option.

Smith has struggled to recreate his nine signifier with Harlequins astatine Test level and Borthwick volition beryllium hoping Farrell's determination to his much comfy presumption astatine fly-half and Lawrence's inclusion tin springiness his broadside the borderline successful midfield.

He added: "Ollie Lawrence brings a definite skillset which helium has been showing tremendously successful the Premiership this play successful the mode helium carries the shot and the mode helium besides defends successful the carnal mode helium does."

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