BEST IS YET TO COME

We can still make our Marc roars defiant Itoje

- ALEX SPINK

MARO ITOJE insists England’s best is still to come in this World Cup, despite the loss of star Marcus Smith to injury.

Smith’s failure to recover from blows to the head he took against Fiji means Freddie Steward starts at full-back against South Africa tomorrow.

Head coach Steve Borthwick also shuffles his pack to hand starts to prop Joe Marler and 18-and-a-half-stone lock George Martin at the expense of Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum.

England have muscled up for their biggest test since they were hammered by the Springboks in the 2019 World Cup final – and Itoje says they have saved their best for now.

“There’s a different energy around the place this week in comparison to other big games I’ve played,” he said.