STEVE BORTHWICK has reacted to England’s Six Nations slump by completing a radical overhaul of his team to face Italy including the return of Fin Smith at fly-half as part of a whole new back line.

Nine changes were announced in personnel today, plus a further three positional switches following the 42-21 rout by Ireland that removed England from title contention with two rounds remaining. It is the most changes ever made by England in the Six Nations era.

British and Irish Lions playmaker Smith marshals a back line that includes only one survivor from the Ireland mauling in Tommy Freeman.

Seb Atkinson and Freeman form the centre partnership and there is an entirely new back three in wings Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and full-back Elliot Daly. Ben Spencer starts at scrum-half.

Borthwick’s hand is partly forced by injuries to Alex Mitchell and Ollie Lawrence, but by ripping up the remainder of his backline England’s head coach has rolled the dice for Saturday’s Stadio Olimpico showdown.

None of the units behind the scrum have previously played together.

There are three changes to the pack with hooker Jamie George, second row Alex Coles and flanker Guy Pepper promoted to the starting XV having filled the bench against Ireland.

The final two positional switches occur in the back row where Tom Curry moves to openside and Ben Earl to number eight.