That's all from England's team announcement.

Full squad details here.

Until Saturday.

England centre Seb Atkinson on playing with Tommy Freeman: "I've been alongside side him for a while in training.

"Off the field everyone has been so welcoming. I am still one of the newest in camp."

On Italy: "Every game is massive in the Six Nations. We are not proud of the last two performances but it feels like we are not far off.

"We know we are going to put in a good performance [in Rome]."

England centre Seb Atkinson on coming through the Worcester Warriors system with Fin Smith: "He started playing together when we were 13.

"I was a fly-half at the time which didn't last long as Fin was better than me. I had to learn a few other skills to play 12. We did the full system together and came third in the academy league in our last year.

"We also managed a get a few games for the senior team together. I got my first Premiership start outside him."

England centre Seb Atkinson says he wants to "lay down a marker " for selection.

"The competition in my position means I need to lay down a marker, which will only bring the best out of me," he said.

England head coach Steve Borthwick on whether he has seen the intensity increase in training: "What I've seen in many areas of our training over the last four or five weeks is Ben Spencer, Fin Smith and Seb Atkinson training together really, really well.

"I've seen Seb come back and play for Gloucester, and I thought he played really well last weekend.

"So seeing that skill and that development of the players on the training field is an important aspect in terms of selection."

England head coach Steve Borthwick on Maro Itoje's minutes: "Maro only played a couple of games coming into this Six Nations. He is stepping forward with each session."

England head coach Steve Borthwick on how much his squad changes have been influenced by the two defeats: "There's always a number of elements when you're talking about the selection process and why I choose to make any particular changes. Clearly you're watching the performances to see what we need to do better and what we need to improve. We change the team after a win as well as after a loss.

"The second thing I'm really keeping in mind is the opposition that we're playing against and what their plan will be tactically. You also have to keep in mind the plan you have and how you are going to do that.

"The other factor is training. I'm watching these guys train and I talk to my players constantly about the level of our preparation and I've been urging them to concentrate on this last period. Many of these players have been training together as a backline for the last four or five weeks and they have done really well.

"So that's another sign that I'll reward players that show exactly what we want to see from them in training."

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Ed: What are your thoughts on Underhill on the bench? In terms of impact players wouldn't it be better going with Cunningham-South?

Chris: It's a good point. I heard Cunningham-South has been very close to the matchday squad and you're right he would provide energy, physicality and another line-out option.

But I imagine Underhill's experience has swung it. He's a class act and often delivers when the pressure is on.

England head coach Steve Borthwick on Fin Smith's inclusion: "There were always going to be periods of change at fly-half. It is important to build that strength and depth.

"George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith are all special players. The way Ford has conducted himself this week has been exceptional."

England head coach Steve Borthwick on his squad selection for this weekend's fixture: "The huge positive is that I think it's going to be an exciting playing environment this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them go.

"We have Alex Mitchell and Ollie Lawrence unavailable, with Alex Mitchell unfortunately unavailable for the remainder of the tournament.

"I said right from the start of the tournament that Tom Roebuck would need another week or two in training. That wasn't to be the case given Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's injury at the start of the tournament. Tom has used that training opportunity super well.

"Obviously Tommy Freeman comes back into the 13 with Ollie Lawrence's unavailability."

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Rugby Union Weekly

Ben Spencer is just a real safe pair of hands.

He's got potentially the best kicking game of our league and one of the best in the world in relieving a load of pressure when needs be, who gets the game and understands momentum.

England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to BBC Sport on Elliot Daly's inclusion: "One of the factors is Elliot's experience. It is also his left foot and calmness. He also brings link play. He is an expectational player."

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Craig: Do you agree that playing players in multiple positions seems akin to football teams playing out from the back? They know it is inherently dangerous but they can't seem to help themselves.

Chris: Players who can play in multiple positions is a big part of the modern game. With 6/2 or even 7/1 benches, and the number of red and yellow cards compared to yesteryear, versatility has become much more of an asset than it used to be.

Look at Andre Esterhuizen, who can play centre or flanker, or the likes of Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach and Cheslin Kolbe for South Africa who can play wing and scrum-half.

The flip side is you don't nail down a position if you keep moving around, and there will be plenty of England fans who feel Freeman is a world-class winger, so is best left there.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Jim: The question that we cannot answer is how will this England side respond if Italy get on top, with points on the board, in the first 20 minutes? Is the bench game-changing enough, if England go behind?

Chris: Hi Jim. We are going to find out loads about England this weekend. How will they react to two really poor performances? How will they react if they go behind and are faced with the prospect of a first-ever defeat by Italy?

There is a bit of spark on the bench with Marcus Smith, while there are plenty of forwards on the bench who should provide impact. But, mentally, England have been off it this Championship and they cannot afford the same in Rome.

It appears most of you agree with Chris.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Stewart: Do you think taking Henry Pollock back to the bench is the right call?

Chris: Hi Stewart. Yes I do. At Test level, I think his game is more suited to impact off the bench rather than starting at the moment.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Guy: Why isn't Henry Slade in the running when he is having a fantastic season and is one of England's best playmakers and passers?

Chris: Hi Guy. It's a curious one, isn't it? Slade has had a distinguished international career but, despite all those caps, missed out on the World Cup in 2023 and now can't get much game time, even though he has played well for Steve Borthwick over the past couple of seasons.

My reading would be that England want more of a strike runner at outside centre, while Slade has never quite looked comfortable wearing 12 as opposed to 13.

Not too many questions around Fin Smith. Are we happy he is back at 10 for England?

He only lost his spot because he was off playing for the British and Irish Lions last summer.

George Ford took his chance and only over the past two games has he opened the debate again.

Smith is a Lion. Ford has over 100 caps.

Some depth.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

Simon: Is international rugby really the place for Tommy Freeman to be learning his trade at outside centre? I think he needs at least another season playing week in week out at 13 for Saints.

Chris: Hi Simon. That’s a great question, and one we've debated on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

Freeman has played there plenty for Northampton but you're right, it's a different level here. Ultimately, the England management see Freeman as a potentially world-class number 13. He might not be there yet, but the hope is he will be by the 2027 Rugby World Cup.