While Marcus Smith has the instinctive flair to make things happen out of nothing, Fin Smith (right) has the ability to make things happen for other people – Dave Rogers/Getty Images
In the build-up to Harlequins’ “Big Game” match against Leicester Tigers at Twickenham on Saturday, the focus has centred on the battle of the No 10s between Marcus Smith and Handre Pollard, England’s fly-half, against South Africa’s World Cup winner.
It is an easy sell. As the year comes to a close, it is Smith who has benefited most from the decision by Owen Farrell to step away from international rugby, with England head coach Steve Borthwick investing in the Harlequins player to construct his side’s attacking game around the maverick.
Pollard, in contrast, is regarded as South Africa’s steady hand, the kicking fly-half who was called on to rescue the Springboks in their World Cup semi-final against England, when he replaced Manie Libbok after just 30 minutes in Paris and landed the late penalty to snatch the 16-15 victory.
While Pollard has worked on his running threat this year under the direction of Springboks attack coach Tony Brown, the man who succeeded Felix Jones in Rassie Erasmus’s coaching staff, the contrast in styles of game management and attacking prowess is a subplot to cherish.
It is also one that Borthwick is likely to take an interest in, but for differing reasons. While the RFU has become embroiled in an internecine squabbling over the salary and bonus scandal, the England head coach has been quietly planning for the Six Nations campaign.
And with George Furbank to miss the opening match against tournament favourites and defending champions Ireland in Dublin on February 1, Borthwick knows he faces a big decision at full-back, one that could have a significant impact on the opening two rounds that will define England’s campaign, with second favourites France at Twickenham in round two.
Throughout the autumn campaign, Borthwick opted for Smith as his starting fly-half, with George Ford on the bench, until the final game against Japan, when it was Northampton fly-half Fin Smith who was England’s cover at 10.
Furbank started three of the four games with Freddie Steward preferred for the aerial battle against the Springboks. Now, with Furbank set to be unavailable, Borthwick must make the call whether to hand a recall to the 6ft 5ins Steward, who is brilliant in the air, but more limited in his ability as a second receiver or roll the dice by switching Marcus Smith to 15.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has big calls to make ahead of the Six Nations – Yui Mok/PA
It was a role that the Harlequins player transitioned to during the World Cup campaign, when he could not dislodge Owen Farrell at 10, and he has regularly dropped to the back field this when Borthwick has turned to his bench in the final quarter.
Against Japan, this was particularly effective when Fin Smith came on at fly-half, even if the quality of the opposition must be taken into context.
The prospect of facing an Ireland team in Dublin, even if Andy Farrell will be on his Lions sabbatical, promises to be a ferocious test. The temptation for Borthwick could be to stick with the tried and tested experience of Ford to start at fly-half.
But the more courageous decision, and one with a significant nod to the World Cup in Australia in two years, would be to promote Fin Smith, who looks to have the skillset to emerge as England’s most complete fly-half.
While Marcus Smith has the instinctive flair to make things happen out of nothing, Fin Smith has the ability to make things happen for other people and bring a sense of order to the side that brings the best out of it collectively.
The 22-year-old already has a strong club relationship with Alex Mitchell, who is emerging as England’s most influential player, and a backline that features his club team-mates Tommy Freeman and potentially Ollie Sleightholme, combination that comes with the kind of pre-baked cohesion that Borthwick desires.
Furbank injury paves way for new tactical opportunities
If Furbank’s injury is a major setback for England, it gives Borthwick the opportunity to start both Smiths, because what the autumn campaign showed us is that England desperately need two distributors in their backline to bring greater flow and fluidity to their attacking shape, which too often resorted to a kick after a handful of phases.
England used to rely heavily on Elliot Daly for this role, as did the selection of Ford and Farrell at 10 and 12. A year on from Farrell’s decision to move to France and he is still being sorely missed by club and country.
A backline with two Smiths in it would give England an attacking point of difference that would resolve some of the issues during the autumn, when there was too much responsibility placed on Marcus to unlock the opposition’s defence.
What is critical is that Borthwick is not swayed by the pressure on the executive at Twickenham and forge ahead with his World Cup evolution, and hit the Six Nations running.
Smith’s head-to-head with Pollard may provide a compelling Big Game subplot, but his international future for now may lie at full-back.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-12-27 17:43:24
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