England have rolled the dice for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji by naming Marcus Smith at full-back in place of the jettisoned Freddie Steward.
Steward has been an automatic pick since making his Test debut in July 2021 but the high-ball master is omitted from the 23 entirely as Steve Borthwick instead opts for the greater attacking threat supplied by Smith.
It will be the converted fly-half’s second start in the number 15 jersey having starred against Chile during the group phase, but Fiji are a significant step up in opposition even if they lack a top-class kicking game.
Among Smith’s duties will be acting as a second playmaker to captain Owen Farrell, who has been picked at fly-half ahead of George Ford for England’s biggest game since the 2019 World Cup final.
It is another seismic selection call from Borthwick given that Ford was man of the match in the Pool D victories over Argentina and Japan and is the form player in the position.
The Sale ringmaster is confined to a supporting role from the bench as Borthwick delivers a show of faith in his skipper, who will be making his third appearance at the World Cup.
Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant have been reunited in the centres and Elliot Daly is restored to the left wing as part of the backline reshuffle headlined by Smith's return.
In total there are two changes in personnel and two positional switches to the side that edged Samoa 18-17 in Lille last Saturday with Borthwick keeping faith with the same pack.
Fiji have returned Semi Radradra to the left wing among three backline switches from the side that lost to Portugal.
Radradra started Fiji's first game of the tournament against Wales at centre but was switched to the wing for the 22-15 victory over Australia at Saint-Etienne, a result which proved the catalyst for the islanders' place in the last eight.
Ilaisa Droasese returns at full-back after last week's loss to the Portuguese in their last pool match, where Fiji still collected the point they needed to advance, while Vinaya Habosi switches to the right wing in place of Selestino Ravutaumada.
Among the forwards, Tevita Ikanivere will earn his first World Cup start after playing Fiji's first four pool games off the bench, replacing Sam Matavesi at hooker while Gloucester's Albert Tuisue is in at lock and Lekima Tagitagivalu chosen as openside flanker.
Matavesi is on the bench after earlier this week travelling back to England, where he lives and plays in the Premiership, after the death of his father, Sireli.
It was the second family bereavement to hit the Fijians during the tournament after the death of Josua Tuisova's seven-year-old son Tito following a long illness. Tuisova missed his son's funeral in order to stay in France.
England enter the Marseille showdown as strong favourites but were defeated 30-22 by Fiji in their most recent meeting.
England: Marcus Smith; Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell (capt), Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence.
Fiji: Ilaisa Droasese, Vinaya Habosi, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Vilimoni Botitu, Frank Lomani, Viliame Mata, Levani Botia, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Isoa Nasilasila, Luke Tagi, Tevita Ikanivere, Eroni Mawi
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Iosefo Masi, Sireli Maqala.
Watch England v Fiji and France v South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow live blogs on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
