England release Smith back to Quins to get game time

LONDON : Marcus Smith has been released from England's training squad this week to get game time with Harlequins but faces a battle to make the squad to face France in two weeks after George Ford was included in a trimmed 26-man group announced on Tuesday.

Smith came on in the last minute of Saturday's victory over Wales, after another appearance off the bench against Italy as coach Steve Borthwick dispensed with the twin-playmaker role and installed captain Owen Farrell as his flyhalf.

Smith was among several players released for the weekend during the Six Nations' "fallow week". Winger Max Malins has an ankle injury and will not train until next week, while Jonnny May, who has not been involved in Borthwick's three games so far, has been recalled.

"The decision was that Marcus would benefit from game time at his club this weekend and having that match sharpness," Borthwick said.

"We're not in test week, we're in a training camp week. George has played for his club at the weekend. This is an opportunity for Marcus to go and play. He's had very limited game time because of the nature of the game and the decision I made on Saturday, so I thought this was a step forward for him."

Ford has not played for England for a year after suffering a serious ankle injury in last season's Premiership final but is back in contention after a handful of appearances for new club Sale.

"He's looking tremendously sharp and in great condition and that shows the work he's done in terms of his rehab," Borthwick said. "He's clearly a very experienced player. That adds to the strength we have in that position."

England host France on March 11 before signing off in Dublin a week later when they are likely to be standing in the way of an Irish grand slam