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The decision to go with both Smiths – Marcus and Fin – against France is a huge gamble for Steve Borthwick as England desperately try and search for a win.
I can totally understand the decision to move Marcus to full-back and start Fin at No 10. I would also have started them together, but at 10 and 12.
I’d have gone with Marcus at fly-half, Fin at 12, and Tommy Freeman at outside centre and really gone hell for leather. The No 10 debate isn’t going away and the outcome of this weekend’s game will only add to it.
My view is that Marcus Smith is a fly-half not a full-back and when everyone is fit, he has to be the first-choice playmaker.
I do feel sorry for him that he keeps being moved from his best position.
But it is clear the injury to George Furbank – who is first-choice at No 15 – has changed things dramatically in Borthwick’s mind.
Steve Borthwick has taken a gamble by picking the Smiths – Marcus and Fin – against France
I would have done similar to Borthwick but I’d have kept Marcus at 10 and brought Fin in at 12
Fin has shown he has the big game temperament for a clash like Saturday’s one against France
Freddie Steward started there in the defeat by Ireland, but as cruel as this might sound, for me he doesn’t have the pace to play that position at the highest level.
That is why Borthwick is now set to turn to a Smith-Smith axis for round two. With Fin Smith at No 10 and Marcus in the back field against France, the latter will be encouraged to break up play with attacking runs from deep.
Fin hasn’t yet started a Test for England, but I’ve got no concerns over him being thrown in for Le Crunch.
He has shown with Northampton – by guiding them to win last season’s Premiership title – that he has a big-game temperament. I thought Marcus looked lost in the defeat by Ireland in Dublin. I think he tried to do much.
He is still young and learning, especially on how to manage a game at Test level. It does take a long time to do that.
I thought against Ireland, Marcus was trying to prove a point that he’s not a flashy 10 (as some have said) and do everything around the field.
He doesn’t need to do that. He must play to his strengths and act as a playmaker, rather than making tackles and being at the bottom of rucks.
Marcus is best served at 10 in my opinion but it will be fascinating to see how he goes
Borthwick is desperate for a win, with England having lost seven of their past nine Tests
It’s something I used to tell Jonny Wilkinson all the time because he was an ultimate team player too.
Perhaps a move to full-back is actually a chance for Marcus to do exactly that. It’s going to be fascinating to see how it goes. One concern with Marcus at full-back is that France will target him in the air.
The new rule on blocking escort runners to the kick chase means there is now more pressure than ever on the one-against-one contest.
Clearly, Marcus is small for a 15. France will kick to him and get their runners through to chase, but if he can cope with that his attacking threat could yet make a big difference.
