\n<\/p>\n
Marcus Smith’s shift to the bench represents a dramatic downsizing of his role in just a few months.<\/p>\n
Initially afforded an opportunity by injury to George Ford, he started all three matches in England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand at fly-half and continued in the role throughout the autumn.<\/p>\n
However, he was shifted to a full-back role in the wake of England’s opening-round defeat, with England hoping he could combine his dangerous broken-field running from back field with the ability to step in as an additional playmaker alongside novice fly-half Fin Smith.<\/p>\n
Daly scored the decisive late try with a well-timed run in England’s wins over France and appeared off the bench again in the victory over Scotland, but has not started a match at full-back for England in four years.<\/p>\n
Lawrence and Slade have been England’s 12-13 combination for the past 13 games \u2013 a run that stretches back to Dingwall’s last start against Wales in February 2024 \u2013 however both play the majority of their club rugby at outside centre.<\/p>\n
Dingwall has been deployed in both roles but was Northampton’s first-choice inside centre in their run to the Premiership title last season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n