Telegraph Sport – Smith blows door open to Steward 

Marcus Smith injury blow opens door for Freddie Steward to face South Africa

TELEGRAPH SPORT SAYS Smith was battered during the quarter-final against Fiji but might have been dropped anyway, to counter South Africa’s kicking threat.

Freddie Steward is set to be restored at full-back for England’s semi-final against South Africa with Marcus Smith likely to be ruled out to face the Springboks. 

Telegraph Sport understands that head coach Steve Borthwick is likely to keep other changes to a minimum and is set to keep the same starting pack from the 30-24 victory against Fiji, but losing Smith from his match-day squad will be considered a blow.

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