EXCLUSIVE: Harlequins sensation Marcus Smith to be given No 10 shirt for England's autumn Tests and will line up alongside captain Owen Farrell - but George Ford and Billy Vunipola are set to miss out on Eddie Jones' squad
- Marcus Smith is set to be given the No 10 shirt for England's autumn Tests
- Smith is set to line up alongside captain Owen Farrell in England's back line
- However, George Ford and Billy Vunipola are both set to miss out on inclusion
Marcus Smith will be handed the No 10 shirt in England’s full-strength side next month and is set to line up alongside captain Owen Farrell in a revamped back line.
The Harlequins sensation will be included on Monday in a squad named by England head coach Eddie Jones for the autumn Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham, with George Ford and Billy Vunipola set to miss out.
Smith will be included in the starting XV, with Farrell at inside centre.
Harlequins sensation Marcus Smith is set to get the No 10 shirt for England's autumn Tests
Smith will line up alongside captain Owen Farrell in a revamped back line for England
It is the latest development in a startling career lift-off for Smith, who inspired Quins to the Premiership title before making his England debut and earning a Lions call-up.
Other rookies could force their way into Jones’s team, including Harry Randall, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward, while Tom Curry may operate at No 8.
Sportsmail understands that Leicester hooker Nic Dolly, who has scored five tries in five Premiership matches this season is expected to be a shock name in Jones’ autumn squad. Dolly, 22, was born in Sydney Australia but has played for England Under-20s.
His presence casts doubt on the fitness of Luke Cowan-Dickie who limped off in Exeter’s win over Wasps on Saturday – he is having a scan today but his prospects look grim.
