"A bit like Farrell" - Former England boss Eddie Jones reveals he wouldn't start Marcus Smith

: "The international retirement of Courtney Lawes gives England the chance to look at a specialist No 6, and if they do so I would throw in Chandler Cunningham-South for his first cap.

In what could be a pivotal moment in a standout season with Northampton, the uncapped Fin Smith stands on the brink of an international debut.

Unfortunately for Marcus Smith, a calf injury sustained in Monday's training session rules him out of this Saturday's clash in Rome.

Smith, who had been expected to start against the Azzurri, was injured in training on Monday.

His absence means Northampton's in-form 21-year-old Fin is set to make his international debut in the Stadio Olimpico.

Speaking today, former coach Jones is unwavering in his confidence that Fin will seamlessly adapt to the international stage, setting the stage for what promises to be a noteworthy debut.

”[Fin Smith] had just moved to Northampton when I was about to leave and was showing signs of developing his game,” Jones told The Telegraph.

“He has a good skill-set, kicking game, quite a mature, calm player.

[He is] one of those young 10s who seems to have experience already, a bit like Farrell. He will probably make the jump to Test rugby quicker than the more instinctive 10s do, like a Richie Mo’unga or Marcus Smith.”

“You couldn’t get a more committed, hard-working, diligent player than Owen Farrell,” Jones said.

“He’s one of the top three points scorers of all time and one of the greats of our game. We don’t know the reason why he’s dropping out, but we do know what happened during the World Cup when he was booed consistently by fans, there was context that even some of his own fans were booing him.

“He has been attacked and his family have been attacked on social media, for what? Because he’s a hard, committed player. All of that doesn’t sit well.”

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "

George Furbank would probably edge this pick strictly on club form and this game would be ideal to see if the Northampton Saints full-back can make the decisive step into a starting role after his first series of England starts were inconclusive."

"I would go straight for Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. It would be his first cap, but opening against Italy is the least pressured of Six Nations debuts and, cynically, it would secure his allegiance for the forthcoming years.

"You can never choose a completely risk-free debut, but you will never have an understanding of any player’s potential unless you give them a chance."

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: |As Oscar Beard is also out through injury that leaves Fraser Dingwall, replacement call-up Max Ojomah or Daly. If Borthwick goes for the latter, it is the safe option but, given this is Italy, he should give Dingwall a start and just see where it goes."

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "Picking half of the half-back picks is simple. Alex Mitchell’s club form has continued from his France 2023 heights, but it is which No 10 will play that signals Borthwick’s intent. 

"Marcus Smith would suggest a Mitchell-Smith longer term partnership but there is no point preferring Smith over George Ford if the Quins No 10 is not given licence to play with alacrity and the inevitable mistakes that will come with that freer approach being tolerated, at least in the short term."

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "As the best two scrummaging props, Joe Marler (if fit) and Dan Coleshould give England the absolutely necessary solid scrum ball, but it is at prop where England do not have flawless depth.

"Ellis Genge and Beno Obano are dynamic but not yet world-class scrummagers. On the tighthead there is no undisputed challenger to Cole, and this is something that England will need to solve to maintain set-piece solidity over a full game."

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "They should continue their second-row partnership but both have to step up to consistent ball-carrying in the loose, as well as their primary roles in the scrum and line-out.

"This pairing has the feel of the Itoje-Kruis team that served England so well in the past. If they get anywhere near its effectiveness England will have a solid foundation for their pack."

6. Chandler Cunningham-South

"Alex Coles might be preferred for bulk and as a line-out option, but it would be interesting to see a conventionally balanced back row with Ben Earl at No 8 and Sam Underhill at openside flanker."

The brains behind the Six Nations masterplans, these head coaches have all won 'Rugby's Greatest Championship', since the modernised competition began back in 2000. Throughout the history of the competition, there have been only five head coaches to win the competition on more than one occasion.

However, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is looking to become the sixth, as he orchestrates the men from the Emerald Isle into defending their Six Nations Grand Slam. In total, the Six Nations has been won by 13 different head coaches, and we challenge you to name them all in the next six minutes!

Your time starts... now! Good luck!