Bagshot (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Marcus Smith has been restored at full-back in a much changed line-up for England’s Six Nations finale against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Harlequins playmaker started the championship at fly-half but was on the bench for last weekend’s 47-24 win over Italy at Twickenham.

But with centre Ollie Lawrence suffering an Achilles injury against Italy, Smith came on to score a try from full-back – where he started in one-point wins over both France and Scotland – with originally selected No 15 Elliot Daly moving into Lawrence’s centre berth.

Head coach Steve Borthwick, however, further rejigged his back-line in the team announced Wednesday to play Wales, with wing Tom Roebuck given his first Test start after three caps off the bench.

Tommy Freeman, on the wing against Italy, moves to outside centre where he will partner Northampton team-mate Fraser Dingwall in yet another midfield combination selected by Borthwick.

Freeman, 24, could equal France wing Philippe Bernat-Salles’ 2001 feat of scoring in every round of the Six Nations if he crosses against a Wales side on a national record losing streak of 16 successive Tests.

Veteran utility back Daly starts on the left wing with Ollie Sleightholme, whose two tries against Italy took his tally to six from eight Tests, dropped from the matchday 23 completely.

Borthwick, explaining his decision to start Marcus Smith at full-back, said: “Elliot Daly’s played really well, whether that’s been from the bench to 15, the bench to the wing or into the centres at different times.

“His experience and the leadership he brings is excellent. So we moved him to the wing and put Marcus at 15.

“You start looking at that back division with Tom Roebuck coming on the right wing and you see pace, a left-foot option, guys that find space really well. It’s a combination I’m looking forward to seeing play on Saturday.”

- ‘Right balance’ -

As for switching Freeman, one of four Northampton players in the back division, to midfield, Borthwick added: “We’ve been looking at Tommy as a possible centre for a good period of time. He’s moved there to 13 within many games and he’s always been covering that centre position a lot for us.

“Clearly him and Fraser (Dingwall) and the relationship they have from playing together at the same club (Northampton)…that understanding and togetherness is important for us to have within our team.”

Borthwick sympathised with the dropped Sleightholme by saying: “He’s done really and continues to do really well. We’re blessed with having plenty of options there, which is a good position to be in. We’re always looking to get that balance right, the balance of options, the left foot of Elliot Daly there”

In the pack, flanker Tom Willis – who also scored a try against Italy – has been demoted to the bench, with Ben Curry coming into a reshaped back-row featuring twin brother Tom and No 8 Ben Earl. In the front row, prop Will Stuart wins his 50th cap.

Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker after former captain Jamie George, who won his 100th cap against Italy, was dropped to a bench also featuring 20-year-old uncapped flanker Henry Pollock.

Fly-half George Ford, a veteran of 98 caps, provides cover for Fin Smith.

England are a point behind leaders France and one ahead of Ireland going into Saturday’s final round of matches, although the French boast a far superior points difference.

England’s most realistic route to a first Six Nations title in five years is to beat Wales with a bonus point and hope Scotland spring a major surprise against France in Paris.