Watson backs Marcus Smith’s ‘X factor’ to inspire England against France

England are looking to the ‘X factor’ of Marcus Smith to dazzle France and lift the home crowd out of their seats in the latest edition of Le Crunch at Twickenham, Anthony Watson said

France encounter is chance for Borthwick, Smith and England to show fresh vision

Picking a more adventurous fly-half opens up the chance to find a new gear in attack that is needed to match the world’s best

England have been waiting for France – it’s time to let the handbrake off

A team has been picked with Les Bleus in mind – opponents who have not won a Six Nations match in London since 2005

Steve Borthwick urges England’s Marcus Smith to hurt France with pace

Steve Borthwick believes Marcus Smith, who he has chosen ahead of Owen Farrell for Saturday’s Six Nations match against France, can help his side maintain a quick tempo

Borthwick’s bold Smith pick comes because England are playing catchup

Outstanding fly-half gets chance to dazzle against France while ‘mad dog’ Ellis Genge will make for a fascinating captain

Steve Borthwick to drop Owen Farrell and play Marcus Smith against France

England head coach is ready to relegate fly-half to the bench after his poor form with Ellis Genge set to captain side for crunch clash

Scotland’s Ben White: ‘Finn is probably the world’s best fly-half at the minute’

The London Irish scrum-half has flourished since Steve Borthwick deemed him surplus to requirements at Leicester

Owen Farrell calls on Jonny Wilkinson to solve goalkicking troubles

Owen Farrell has enlisted the help of Jonny Wilkinson to solve his goalkicking troubles before the crunch Six Nations match with France on Saturday

The age old fly-half debate: should England trust Farrell, Ford or Smith?

Everybody knows the playmaker is first among equals but perceptions change and the position is an indicator of intent

Marcus Smith recalled to England squad to face France in Six Nations

Marcus Smith has been recalled to the England squad preparing to face France this weekend after his dazzling display in Harlequins’ victory over Exeter

Anthony Watson hails power of visualisation in England return

The winger uses the technique to cope with injury and prepare for games – and it led to a picture-perfect try in the win against Wales in Cardiff

Jack Willis leaves England camp over Toulouse injury crisis

Jack Willis has left England’s Six Nations training camp to answer a back-row crisis at his club, Toulouse

England drop Marcus Smith and retain George Ford for training squad

The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, has sprung a surprise in selection by dropping Marcus Smith to accommodate the possible return of George Ford against France

The road to joy: why the best in the Six Nations are putting fun above fear

The world’s top rugby union teams at the moment are those who can strike the right balance between risk and reward