Rugby World Cup 2023: Owen Farrell comes in at fly-half, George Ford drops to bench for quarter-final against Fiji

Steve Borthwick has named his England team to face Fiji in their World Cup quarter-final, and Owen Farrell will take George Ford's position at fly-half.

Marcus Smith is set to start at full-back, while Ford drops to the bench, and Freddie Stewart has been omitted from the squad of 23 to face the Pacific Islanders in Marseille.

Farrell's and Smith's positions are the same as the ones they occupied in a 71-0 win over Chile. Despite starting three of England's four pool-stage matches, Ford has been omitted from the starting XV.

Borthwick has elected to go for Joe Marchant and Manu Tuilagi in the centre positions. The wing places will be occupied by Jonny May and Elliot Daly, while no changes have been made to the England forward line, which includes Ellis Genge and Jamie George.

Meanwhile, the England bench will be occupied by scrum-half Danny Care, centre Ollie Lawrence, number eight Billy Vunipola, lock George Martin, props Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler, along with hooker Theodor Dan.

Speaking after the announcement, Borthwick said: "Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be.

"However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey."

The neutrals will be backing Fiji to cause an upset at the weekend, and Vunipola believes that is a situation which the side should relish.

He said: "I would not say Fiji is their second-favourite, I would say England is their first least-favourite team.

"In terms of being public enemy No. 1, we are happy to take that mantle."

Vunipola has been named on the bench again, and he admits that, while this is frustrating, the priority is the greater good of the team.

“Being honest, I’d like to have played some more games, but in saying that, the team I am playing for is in the quarter-finals,” he explained.

“I’m happy to be involved, happy to add in any way I can both on and off the pitch, and if that means we get through to the next round then so be it. But in terms of my contribution, I’m just trying to give as much as I can anywhere that I can.

“I’d be lying if I said it was easy, but what makes it better is that I know the team is doing well and that is the most important thing, the team progressing, and we are in the quarter-finals.

“That is the most important thing. I could easily fly home having played 80 minutes every week. I’d rather be in a team that is winning and is in a quarter-final and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media