Steve Borthwick wields England axe and makes nine changes to team to play Italy

Steve Borthwick has wielded the axe and made nine changes to his England team from the one that lost to Ireland for Saturday’s game away to Italy in Rome, picking an entirely different back line as he seeks to salvage his side’s Six Nations campaign with the most radical selection of his tenure. Borthwick has also made three positional changes as well, moving Tommy Freeman to outside centre, Ben Earl back to number eight and Tom Curry to openside. Fin Smith has also been installed at outhalf and with Henry Pollock dropped after just one start. Seb Atkinson, Cadan Murley, Guy Pepper and Elliot Daly all come into the side to make their first appearances of this year’s Six...