Steve Borthwick has dropped Owen Farrell from the England team to face France on Saturday with Marcus Smith starting at fly-half and Ellis Genge captaining the side for the first time.
As revealed by the Guardian, Farrell has been left out of an England side on merit for the first time since the 2015 World Cup with Borthwick preferring Smith, rejuvenating after a starring role for Harlequins in their victory at Twickenham over Exeter last weekend.
Farrell has struggled for form of late, particularly from the kicking tee, but it is a seismic decision by Borthwick to bench his captain.
With Courtney Lawes out with a shoulder injury, Genge – who captained Leicester to last season’s Premiership title under Borthwick – will lead the side.
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