Marcus Smith has been given the opportunity to play his way into England’s World Cup squad after being picked at fly-half for Saturday’s clash with Wales in Cardiff.
Smith is preferred for the first of four Summer Nations Series matches ahead of Owen Farrell and George Ford, both of whom started the Gallagher Premiership final on May 27.
Steve Borthwick names his World Cup squad on Monday and, with Smith thought to be behind Farrell and Ford in the pecking order, he has the platform at the Principality Stadium to convince his head coach that a third fly-half should be taken to France.
Danny Care joins the 24-year-old at half-back and the side is littered with fringe contenders for the final 33-man group – with no players from Premiership finalists Saracens and Sale present in the starting XV.
Ellis Genge captains the team but, apart from Care, it is an inexperienced line-up that sees fast-rising Northampton flanker Tom Pearson make his debut at openside.
Centre Joe Marchant and Guy Porter are on the fringes of World Cup selection, while a big performance from Joe Cokanasiga could persuade Borthwick that his power on the wing is a valuable weapon this autumn.
Pearson impressed last season and aged 23 has been tipped as a star in the making, although he is operating in a ferociously competitive race for back row inclusion.
Blindside flanker Lewis Ludlam and number eight Alex Dombrandt need big games to win over the England management, while rookie locks David Ribbans and George Martin are also by no means assured of selection on Monday.
Saracens hooker Theo Dan and back row Tom Willis are set to win their first caps off the bench.
“England versus Wales in Cardiff is always an exciting and keenly contested fixture,” Borthwick said.
“I’m sure this Saturday will be no different as a tremendous first Test match of the Summer Nations Series.
“We have been impressed with how the whole squad has applied itself both on and off the field over this training camp.
“We are now looking forward to returning to Test match rugby as we continue our preparations for the World Cup in France.”
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 3, 2023
England team to face Wales in World Cup warm-up match
Forwards: 1 Ellis Genge (CAPTAIN, Bristol Bears), 2 Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), 3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 4 David Ribbans (Toulon), 5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers), 6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), 7 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)*, 8 Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Backs: 9 Danny Care (Harlequins), 10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins), 11 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), 12 Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers), 13 Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), 14 Max Malins (Bristol Bears), 15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan (Saracens)*, 17 Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), 18 Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), 19 Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks), 20 Tom Willis (Saracens)*, 21 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), 22 George Ford (Sale Sharks), 23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
* Denotes uncapped player