Farrell dropped for clash with Les Bleus

Steve Borthwick is today expected to drop England captain Owen Farrell from the side to face France at Twickenham on Saturday, the first time he has been omitted from a major Test match on form since 2015. Marcus Smith is to be promoted to the fly-half position in place of Farrell, who must be content with a seat on the bench against the Grand Slam champions. The decision comes five weeks after Borthwick appointed Farrell as his captain for the Six Nations campaign.

Sport: Page 1