Steve Borthwick has made a bold selection decision ahead of England’s crucial Six Nations clash with France, shifting Marcus Smith to full-back and handing Fin Smith his first start at fly-half. The move signals an intent to introduce a second playmaker and take advantage of Marcus Smith’s creativity from deeper positions.
Marcus Smith has been England’s starting fly-half for the past eight Tests, but the tactical switch aims to maximize his ability to exploit space and unlock defenses. The selection comes amid a challenging period for England, who have lost seven of their last nine matches, increasing the pressure to deliver a strong performance at Twickenham.
Fin Smith, earning his eighth cap, has played alongside Marcus in his recent substitute appearances, including matches against Japan and France. The young fly-half has impressed with his defensive contributions, particularly his high tackle count for Northampton this season. Borthwick praised his all-around game, highlighting his accuracy in distribution and kicking, as well as his toughness and bravery in defense.
The key motivation behind this decision is to allow Marcus Smith more freedom to operate in unstructured situations, where his natural instincts and vision can be most effective. His last England start at full-back was in the 2023 World Cup bronze-medal match against Argentina, though he also played almost an entire game in the position last year against France, impressing with his counterattacking play.
France, coming off a dominant 53-10 victory at Twickenham two years ago, enter the game as favorites. However, their tendency to kick deep provides an opportunity for England to exploit space, making Borthwick’s tactical gamble a calculated one.
“Marcus is a gamechanger,” Borthwick explained. “He sees space that other players don’t. He has an ability to find gaps in defenses that most people don’t even know exist. If you give him time and space, he can hurt the opposition.”
The head coach also emphasized the positive chemistry between the two Smiths in training, suggesting that their dual playmaker setup could be a significant attacking asset.
“You could talk a lot about Fin’s distribution skills, which are excellent,” he continued. “His kicking game is very accurate. Earlier this season, he made 30 tackles in a game for Northampton, which tells you a lot about his personality he’s tough, he’s brave. When players see a fly-half willing to defend like that, they have immense respect for him.”
Alongside the changes in the backline, Tom Willis earns his first start at No. 8, with Ben Curry moving to the bench. On the wing, Ollie Sleightholme replaces the injured Cadan Murley. Jamie George is named among the replacements for his first appearance since being stripped of the captaincy, while Freddie Steward is not included in the match-day squad.
France’s head coach, Fabien Galthié, acknowledged the threat Marcus Smith poses, describing him as “a sort of genius, an unparalleled attacker capable of changing a game with a sidestep, an acceleration, a drop kick, a pass.” Despite this praise, France will be confident of extending England’s struggles, with Borthwick’s side at risk of setting an unwanted record for their worst-ever losing run against Six Nations and Rugby Championship teams.
“There is always expectation,” Borthwick admitted. “In English sport whether it’s cricket, football, or rugby there is always expectation to win. When you take the job, you expect that pressure. I would rather be involved with a team that has expectation than one that doesn’t.”
Meanwhile, there is a possibility that Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could return before the end of the tournament. Initially expected to miss the entire Six Nations due to shoulder surgery, the Exeter winger has opted for a different recovery approach, opening the door for a potential comeback.
“I’d love him to be back before the end of this Six Nations,” Borthwick said. “He has pace, power, and skill. It depends on how things progress, but so far, he’s doing well. Ultimately, it’s always the player’s decision, and we are supportive of whatever they choose.”
As England prepare to face a formidable French side, the decision to reposition Marcus Smith and introduce Fin Smith as the starting fly-half represents a bold tactical shift one that could determine the outcome of their Six Nations campaign.
