Owen Farrell dropped and Marcus Smith picked ‘for balance’

George Ford has been released back to Sale Sharks for this weekend’s round of Premiership matches with Marcus Smith set to make a sensational return to the starting XV.

Smith’s man-of-the-match display for Harlequins against Exeter last weekend combined with his reported excellence in training appear to have tilted the scale in his favour and away from Owen Farrell. 

However, even if he doesn’t start, it is understood that Farrell will play a vital role for the side from the bench.

Elsewhere, Courtney Lawes has been ruled out with injury. Lawes was expected to captain the side if Farrell started the game on the bench but in his absence, it appears Ellis Genge is the most likely candidate to lead the side.

Borthwick’s 27-man squad

Here’s the pool from which Borthwick will be selecting his team and bench today

Forwards

O Chessum, D Cole, B Curry, A Dombrandt, B Earl, E Genge, J George, N Isiekwe, M Itoje, L Ludlam, D Ribbans, K Sinckler, M Vunipola, J Walker, J Willis

Backs

H Arundell, O Farrell, O Lawrence, M Malins, J Marchant, A Mitchell, H Slade, M Smith, F Steward, M Tuilagi, J van Poortvliet, A Watson