{"id":31153,"date":"2024-01-31T18:26:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T17:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/?p=31153"},"modified":"2024-02-02T09:54:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T08:54:26","slug":"smiths-injury-shakes-up-englands-lineup-for-six-nations-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/news\/smiths-injury-shakes-up-englands-lineup-for-six-nations-opener","title":{"rendered":"Smith&#8217;s injury shakes up England&#8217;s Lineup for Six Nations opener"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul>\n<li>Smith ruled out of Italy clash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fly-half picks up calf injury in training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dingwell expected to come in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-highlight-box-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col lg:flex-row lg:items-center lg:justify-between p-8 lg:py-8 lg:px-10 my-6 bg-yellow-100\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box-cta-content flex flex-col !text-black lg:pr-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">heck the best betting sites in the UK and the top bookmakers for the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Six Nations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the best betting sites for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/rugby\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rugby union<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For more information on the tournament check out our<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\/preview\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Six Nations preview.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/betting-sites\" class=\"btn btn-black-outline-black w-fit whitespace-nowrap mt-4 lg:mt-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Best Betting Sites<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mt-8 wp-block-top-list \" id=\"sports-book\">\n\n\t\n\t<section\n\t\tid=\"block_8ae6e5479c58574227033d9b64d4ba33\"\n\t\t\t\t\tx-data=\"block_8ae6e5479c58574227033d9b64d4ba33\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"@container\"\n\t>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1  @2xl:grid-cols-2  gap-8\" x-ref=\"container-block_8ae6e5479c58574227033d9b64d4ba33\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/go.betting.com\/go\/boylesports\"\n\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\trel=\"nofollow noopener\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"BoyleSports Review 2026 in the UK\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"flex flex-grow flex-row items-center bg-white p-2 shadow group hover:no-underline \"\n\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210-180x95.webp 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210-180x95.jpg 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210-360x189.webp 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210-360x189.jpg 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210.webp 400w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210.jpg 400w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"120px\"\n\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/boylesports_postcard_400x210.jpg\"\n\t\talt=\"BoyleSports\"\n\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"120\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"62\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"object-cover object-center bg-cover bg-center flex-shrink-0 w-[120px] lg:w-[100px] aspect-casino\"\n\t\tstyle=\" \"\n\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-col px-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"text-sm font-semibold !leading-4 text-black duration-300 group-hover:text-red-100 lg:text-base\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm-title\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tBoyleSports\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-1 flex flex-row items-center gap-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"star-rating h-auto w-[60px]\"\n\t\t style=\"--bt-star-percentage: 91.3084%; \"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-xxs text-gray-60\">(4.5\/5)<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ml-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"right-0 flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center border border-red-100 bg-white duration-300 group-hover:bg-red-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"w-3 h-3 text-red-100 rotate-180 duration-300\n\t\t\t\t\tgroup-hover:text-white\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 16\"><path d=\"M.29 7.315a.94.94 0 0 0 0 1.36l6.874 6.562a.937.937 0 0 0 1.293-1.356l-5.18-4.949h13.285c.52 0 .938-.418.938-.937a.935.935 0 0 0-.938-.938H3.277l5.184-4.945A.937.937 0 0 0 7.168.756L.293 7.32l-.004-.004Z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/go.betting.com\/go\/betfred\"\n\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\trel=\"nofollow noopener\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Betfred Review in the UK\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"flex flex-grow flex-row items-center bg-white p-2 shadow group hover:no-underline \"\n\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210-180x95.webp 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210-180x95.jpg 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210-360x189.webp 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210-360x189.jpg 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210.webp 400w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210.jpg 400w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"120px\"\n\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/betfred-sportsbook_postcard_400x210.jpg\"\n\t\talt=\"Betfred\"\n\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"120\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"62\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"object-cover object-center bg-cover bg-center flex-shrink-0 w-[120px] lg:w-[100px] aspect-casino\"\n\t\tstyle=\" \"\n\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-col px-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"text-sm font-semibold !leading-4 text-black duration-300 group-hover:text-red-100 lg:text-base\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm-title\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tBetfred\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-1 flex flex-row items-center gap-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"star-rating h-auto w-[60px]\"\n\t\t style=\"--bt-star-percentage: 91.3084%; \"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-xxs text-gray-60\">(4.5\/5)<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ml-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"right-0 flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center border border-red-100 bg-white duration-300 group-hover:bg-red-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"w-3 h-3 text-red-100 rotate-180 duration-300\n\t\t\t\t\tgroup-hover:text-white\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 16\"><path d=\"M.29 7.315a.94.94 0 0 0 0 1.36l6.874 6.562a.937.937 0 0 0 1.293-1.356l-5.18-4.949h13.285c.52 0 .938-.418.938-.937a.935.935 0 0 0-.938-.938H3.277l5.184-4.945A.937.937 0 0 0 7.168.756L.293 7.32l-.004-.004Z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Smith\">Smith ruled out with calf injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>England&#8217;s preparations for their Six Nations opener against Italy have hit a snag with the news that fly-half Marcus Smith will miss the match due to a calf injury sustained in training. The anticipated debut for the young talent has been put on hold, opening the door for Northampton&#8217;s Fin Smith, 21, to step onto the international stage at the Stadio Olimpico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield confirmed Smith&#8217;s unavailability, citing a calf injury that occurred during Monday&#8217;s training session. While the extent of the injury is yet to be fully understood, Smith&#8217;s absence compounds England&#8217;s challenges, with key players like Owen Farrell, Joe Marchant, Ollie Lawrence, and Manu Tuilagi either unavailable or sidelined due to injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The absence of stalwarts like Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry, coupled with Jonny May&#8217;s retirement, has left vacancies across the squad, necessitating the inclusion of newer faces. Fraser Dingwall, Marcus Smith&#8217;s Northampton teammate, is expected to slot into the inside center position, adding to the list of new caps likely to be named in the matchday squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the setbacks, Captain Jamie George expressed confidence in the team&#8217;s depth and praised the strong performances of English club sides in both domestic and European competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-highlight-box-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col lg:flex-row lg:items-center lg:justify-between p-8 lg:py-8 lg:px-10 my-6 bg-green-100\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box-cta-content flex flex-col !text-white lg:pr-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>For more information on Italy vs England check out our match preview.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\/italy-vs-england\" class=\"btn btn-white-outline-white w-fit whitespace-nowrap mt-4 lg:mt-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Italy vs England<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Betting\">Betting Implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>England are strong favourites to win in Rome.At the time of writing bet365 have England priced at 1\/10 to win, with Italy at 13\/2 and a draw at 40\/1.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bettors need to monitor England\u2019s performance in Rome to see how they cope with the enforced changes they will make due to injuries and unavailability. They have made steady progress under Steve Borthwick and are currently third favourites to win the Six Nations behind France and Ireland, priced at 6\/1 with Coral. Punters will need to assess how new players have settled in the side when making their outright picks and when betting on individual matches.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"mt-8 wp-block-top-list \" id=\"sports-book\">\n\n\t\n\t<section\n\t\tid=\"block_34a4e225d7339072e684a2a0204d2161\"\n\t\t\t\t\tx-data=\"block_34a4e225d7339072e684a2a0204d2161\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"@container\"\n\t>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1  gap-8\" x-ref=\"container-block_34a4e225d7339072e684a2a0204d2161\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/go.betting.com\/go\/coral\"\n\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\trel=\"nofollow noopener\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Coral Review 2026 in the UK\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"flex flex-grow flex-row items-center bg-white p-2 shadow group hover:no-underline \"\n\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210-180x95.webp 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210-180x95.jpg 180w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210-360x189.webp 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210-360x189.jpg 360w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210.webp 400w, https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210.jpg 400w\"\n\t\t\t\tsizes=\"120px\"\n\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/coral_postcard_400x210.jpg\"\n\t\talt=\"Coral\"\n\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"120\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"62\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"object-cover object-center bg-cover bg-center flex-shrink-0 w-[120px] lg:w-[100px] aspect-casino\"\n\t\tstyle=\" \"\n\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"flex flex-col px-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"text-sm font-semibold !leading-4 text-black duration-300 group-hover:text-red-100 lg:text-base\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-bt=\"tiles-betting-site-sm-title\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tCoral\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-1 flex flex-row items-center gap-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"star-rating h-auto w-[60px]\"\n\t\t style=\"--bt-star-percentage: 91.3084%; \"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-xxs text-gray-60\">(4.5\/5)<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ml-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"right-0 flex h-6 w-6 items-center justify-center border border-red-100 bg-white duration-300 group-hover:bg-red-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"w-3 h-3 text-red-100 rotate-180 duration-300\n\t\t\t\t\tgroup-hover:text-white\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 16\"><path d=\"M.29 7.315a.94.94 0 0 0 0 1.36l6.874 6.562a.937.937 0 0 0 1.293-1.356l-5.18-4.949h13.285c.52 0 .938-.418.938-.937a.935.935 0 0 0-.938-.938H3.277l5.184-4.945A.937.937 0 0 0 7.168.756L.293 7.32l-.004-.004Z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-highlight-box-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col lg:flex-row lg:items-center lg:justify-between p-8 lg:py-8 lg:px-10 my-6 bg-yellow-100\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box-cta-content flex flex-col !text-black lg:pr-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For more information on the tournament check out our Six Nations preview.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\/preview\" class=\"btn btn-black-outline-black w-fit whitespace-nowrap mt-4 lg:mt-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Six Nations Preview<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-highlight-box-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col lg:flex-row lg:items-center lg:justify-between p-8 lg:py-8 lg:px-10 my-6 bg-green-100\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box-cta-content flex flex-col !text-white lg:pr-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">heck the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/betting-sites\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> best betting sites in the UK<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the top bookmakers for the Six Nations and the best betting sites for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/rugby\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rugby union<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\" class=\"btn btn-white-outline-white w-fit whitespace-nowrap mt-4 lg:mt-0\" >Six Nations Bookies<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-highlight-box-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col lg:flex-row lg:items-center lg:justify-between p-8 lg:py-8 lg:px-10 my-6 bg-yellow-100\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box-cta-content flex flex-col !text-black lg:pr-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>For information on France vs Ireland check out our preview.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"flex flex-col\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/six-nations\/france-vs-ireland\" class=\"btn btn-black-outline-black w-fit whitespace-nowrap mt-4 lg:mt-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">France vs Ireland<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smith ruled out with calf injury England&#8217;s preparations for their Six Nations opener against Italy have hit a snag with the news that fly-half Marcus Smith will miss the match due to a calf injury sustained in training. The anticipated debut for the young talent has been put on hold, opening the door for Northampton&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":31295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[590],"tags":[645],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31153"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31153"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31297,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31153\/revisions\/31297"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betting.com\/gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}