Marcus Smith’s shift to the bench represents a dramatic downsizing of his role in just a few months.

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.

However, he was shifted to a full-back role after England’s opening Six Nations defeat, with the hope 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.

Daly scored the decisive late try with a well-timed run in England’s win over France and appeared off the bench again in the victory over Scotland, but has not started a match at full-back for his country in four years.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Marcus enter the field when there are potentially some tiring defenders and maybe a bit of space,” said Borthwick.

“We had a conversation about the role I was asking him to play this week and he has trained wonderfully well.

“It’s a sign of the calibre of person and the character Marcus is. He is a brilliant rugby player and I’ve talked about him being a game-changer.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him come on and break open some part of Italy’s defence.

“Elliot Daly has done well and had a real positive impact off the bench in the last couple of games and he has been terrific in training.

“Now it’s Elliot’s time with Marcus coming from the bench and it’s a really good position to be in.”

Lawrence and Slade have been England’s 12-13 combination for the past 13 games – a run that stretches back to Dingwall’s last start against Wales in February 2024 – however both play the majority of their club rugby at outside centre.

Dingwall has been deployed in both roles but was Northampton’s first-choice inside centre in their run to the Premiership title last season.