"NINE changes" - Leaked England team to play Italy, Ford and Pollock DROPPED

hat the England boss will make sweeping changes in the wake of defeats to Scotland and Ireland.

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The headline decision? An entirely new backline.

Only Tommy Freeman survives from the heavy loss to Ireland — and even he is set to move from the wing into the centres as Borthwick swings the axe.

Elliot Daly is expected to start at full-back, replacing Freddie Steward. The veteran utility back has reportedly seen off competition from Marcus Smith and George Furbank to claim the No 15 jersey.

At fly-half, Fin Smith is poised to replace George Ford, provided he recovers from illness. If fit, he will link up with Ben Spencer at scrum-half in a fresh half-back pairing.

Tom Roebuck returns on the right wing, while Harlequins flyer Cadan Murley is tipped to start on the left. Freeman shifts to outside centre, where he is likely to partner Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson — who would make his first Six Nations appearance.

The shake-up does not stop in the backs.

Henry Pollock is set to be dropped after his first start against Ireland, with Borthwick opting for a back row of Guy Pepper, Tom Curry and Ben Earl.

In the second row, Alex Coles comes in to partner captain Maro Itoje, with Ollie Chessum expected to miss out.

The only area unchanged is the front row of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Joe Heyes — despite Cowan-Dickie’s early withdrawal against Ireland following line-out issues.

If the Telegraph’s leak proves accurate, it will amount to nine changes in total — a clear sign that Borthwick’s patience has run thin as England look to salvage their Six Nations campaign in Rome.

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