Why Fin Smith Represents England's Top Choice Fly-Half

In expert analysis, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the starting position for the national team's fly-half versus the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of skill and composure, while executing some strong decisions during moments didn't proceed to plan during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to calm the squad strategically and make big calls is something he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one fly-half and he should begin against New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly as well, because Fin has proven his capability during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy reasons, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his form during the visit of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji represented a marked step up from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies lost on Italian soil on Saturday, therefore we must avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, which should have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians were.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering backup, I think Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as an option when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

He is developing in his career while beginning to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match develop while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His choices and mistake frequency have improved substantially since his early career.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Smith as such type influential player, then having him in the backfield could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick testing the English backfield, so it has remain watertight.

It is a position requiring to become a genuine asset, both defensively while regarding of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I believe Marcus is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want the ball under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, particularly in the final quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous parallels between Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I recall as he received possession at one stage just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

But in those milliseconds he thought the team required reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying pressure.

This represents the type of playmaking securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has composure during intensity directing the players nearby, while recognizing that he mustn't always need to be the first option.

I want to see him receiving the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at domestic matches week in and week out.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, where historically one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the job, but with Fin's defence on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

It also means you don't have to adjust your defensive system when you have someone aggressive in the fly-half channel, instead of an individual being a little more reserved.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous considerations that go on privately, but whichever way the management decide to go, this will present the opponents problems.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, where the focus was simply on selecting the optimal individual.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick and execute enabling possible territorial gains can take pressure away from the national team.