England are set to include both Fin Smith and Marcus Smith in their starting lineup for their upcoming Six Nations match against France this weekend. Fin Smith, the young Northampton fly-half, is poised to make his first start at No. 10, while Marcus Smith is expected to be shifted to full-back for the encounter at Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday.
The move comes after England’s loss to Ireland in their opening Six Nations fixture, with head coach Steve Borthwick considering changes to the team. Cadan Murley’s absence due to injury is likely to prompt a reshuffle of the back three, with Marcus Smith filling the full-back position, as he did during the final quarter against Ireland.
While Marcus Smith has been England’s first-choice fly-half since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the opportunity to deploy him at full-back presents an interesting tactical option. France’s tendency to kick long creates opportunities for a dangerous counterattacker, and Marcus Smith’s speed and vision make him a strong candidate for this role. However, it also places some pressure on England’s defense, as their backline may be more vulnerable in this new formation.
The strategy of deploying Marcus Smith at full-back is not entirely new; he filled the position for much of last year’s match against France in Lyon. In that game, England were narrowly defeated in a thrilling contest. England’s backs coach, Richard Wigglesworth, emphasized that the team is blessed with talented fly-halves, all capable of performing at the international level. He highlighted that while Fin Smith has had fewer opportunities than some of the other fly-halves, his game awareness and clear understanding of how to position the team have been impressive. Fin is known for his confidence without arrogance and his desire to improve, traits that have made him stand out in training.
Wigglesworth noted the importance of having multiple players who can operate at fly-half, adding that Fin Smith has been particularly good at identifying space on the pitch, a vital skill for a No. 10. The backs coach also expressed optimism about the development of younger players like Fin Smith, stating that it’s important to accelerate their growth to ensure they’re ready for the international stage.
Henry Slade, England’s centre, praised Fin Smith’s ability to read the game and find space, a key attribute for any fly-half. He noted that while Marcus Smith brings an X-factor with his one-on-one skills, Fin is more measured and strategic in his approach. Slade believes that this composure and ability to manage the game will be invaluable for England, especially in such a high-stakes match against a formidable French team.
Looking ahead to the France match, Wigglesworth acknowledged that the team’s performance in the second half against Ireland was marred by a high penalty count, which limited their ability to control the game and move the ball out of their own half. Despite the defeat, there were positive elements in England’s attack, particularly in the first half. As the team prepares for the challenge of facing the reigning Six Nations champions, Wigglesworth emphasized the need for a positive mindset and clear communication to execute the team’s game plan effectively.
With France’s dominance in recent matches and the pressure mounting on England after their recent defeats, this selection change represents a bold strategy to give England the best chance of success. The pairing of both Smiths in key positions could be pivotal as England look to bounce back and make a statement in the Six Nations.
