Steve Borthwick has reaffirmed his confidence in Marcus Smith as England’s primary goal-kicker for the upcoming Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland, despite the fly-half’s recent struggles from the tee. Smith, who missed key kicks in England’s narrow victory over France, will retain the role over Fin Smith, who successfully stepped in to seal that match.
Against France, Marcus Smith missed two relatively straightforward kicks in the second half, pulling both left. This led to Fin Smith taking over and converting crucial kicks in the closing stages of the game. With Marcus Smith’s goal-kicking success rate at 57.14% in the tournament so far, questions had been raised about whether he should continue in the role. However, the coaching staff remains steadfast in their belief in his ability.
Borthwick was clear in his stance, describing Smith as a “world-class goal-kicker” and an exceptional playmaker. He emphasized that while opposition teams often focus on limiting Smith’s influence, his presence on the field creates opportunities for teammates. The decision to keep him in the role aligns with the tactical approach of having both Marcus and Fin Smith as dual playmakers, offering flexibility in attack.
England has made only one change to their starting lineup for the match against Scotland, with Ollie Chessum replacing George Martin in the second row. Chessum, who made an impact off the bench in the previous game, will start for the first time in 11 months following a long recovery from knee and shoulder injuries. While he does not bring the same physicality as Martin, Chessum’s strength in the lineout could help address England’s struggles in that area during the France match.
Borthwick highlighted Chessum’s growing leadership within the squad, particularly in the lineout, an area where he has been applying himself diligently. The head coach noted that the decision to start Chessum was not purely tactical but based on the sense that it was the right time for him to step in, with Martin moving to the bench. He praised Chessum’s work ethic and the positive impact he has on his teammates.
Scotland will confirm their lineup later in the week, with uncertainty surrounding the availability of Finn Russell after the fly-half suffered a head injury against Ireland. However, England is preparing as if Russell will play, recognizing the threat he poses with his varied and attacking kicking game. Borthwick acknowledged Russell’s ability to exploit space and emphasized the need for England’s defensive setup to be sharp in covering those areas.
Beyond the Calcutta Cup, England will also break from tradition by hosting four autumn internationals instead of the usual three in a British & Irish Lions year. They will face Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina at Twickenham, with the Australia fixture scheduled outside the official Test window. This move is seen as a financial boost for the Rugby Football Union while providing England with valuable high-level competition ahead of future challenges.
