Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith will make his first Test match start for England this weekend, with Steve Borthwick’s side set to face France in the second round of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations.
The 22-year-old No.10 has earned all seven of his previous international caps off the bench, but partners clubmate Alex Mitchell in the half-back berths for the visit of Les Bleus to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The Northampton duo are joined in the starting XV by Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, who are selected by England on the wings to earn their 17th and sixth caps respectively.
Saturday’s second round Guinness Six Nations match – the 111th game between England and France since the first meeting in 1906 – will kick-off at 4.45pm, and is available to watch in the stadium bars around cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens following the conclusion of Northampton Saints’ Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against Coventry.
“England vs France is an incredible fixture to be involved in,” said Borthwick. “We’re looking forward to being back at Allianz Stadium in front of our home supporters, for what I am sure will be a great game of rugby.”
ENGLAND SIDE TO FACE FRANCE
Saturday 8 February 2025
Guinness Six Nations, Round 2
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 4.45pm (GMT)
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 40 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 32 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 70 caps)
11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 67 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 46 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 89 caps) – captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 57 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 38 caps)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens, 2 caps)
Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 97 caps) – vice-captain
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 6 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 12 caps)
21. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
22. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 12 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
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