England head coach Steve Borthwick faces mounting pressure to make dramatic changes after three straight Six Nations defeats. The most notable potential switch involves Marcus Smith, who has been absent from fly-half since 2024 despite his proven ability to create tries. Smith's seven try assists in 2024 and involvement in 13% of England's total tries make him a compelling option.

Up front, England's pack showed worrying imbalances against Italy, with Ben Earl carrying 20 times while others struggled to reach double figures. The absence of ball-carrying specialist Tom Willis has been felt, potentially opening the door for Ollie Chessum and Chandler Cunningham-South to add more physical presence. These changes could allow Earl to exploit wider channels where his pace creates mismatches against France's athletic pack.

Leadership and tactical approach also demand attention. Maro Itoje's inconsistent form and workload concerns suggest Courtney Lawes could return as temporary captain, following his successful stint in 2021. More significantly, attack coach Lee Blackett may need to reshape England's gameplan after their cutting edge disappeared. With only 14 tries in this Six Nations and poor conversion rates inside the 22m area, England must rediscover the attacking verve that produced 25 tries under Richard Wigglesworth.