England squad will target unprecedented eighth successive title at end of March
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Smith and Slade dropped from backline for Sunday’s Six Nations showdown
Managing director Key admits ‘it would be stupid’ not to look at Test skipper
ENGLAND have dropped Marcus Smith and Henry Slade in a dramatic shake-up of the backline for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham.
Smith is demoted to the bench to make way for the recall of Elliot Daly at full-back, while Slade is jettisoned from the 23 altogether, with Fraser Dingwall making his first Test appearance since last year’s championship.
The reshaped midfield sees Dingwall slot in at inside centre, with Ollie Lawrence remaining in the number 13 jersey.
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