England is thinking of playing Marcus Smith in a full return with Fin Smith in half of the flight to their line against France in the hope of staring at their Guinness Six Nations campaign on Saturday.
Marcus Smith has been the first choice of flight half since the 2023 World Cup, but can be moved to the full Saturday at Allianz Stadium to accommodate his name on the XV.
Fin Smith has made his seven previous appearances of the test as a replacement, meaning that his full debut would come in a critical game with England playing to save their championship after losing 27- 22 in Ireland in the first round.
Rookie Northampton would have the responsibility for running the back line with Marcus Smith providing a counter-attack threat of 15, a position he filled for the first time in the World Cup and has since occupied.
The selection of two of Rugby’s most creative talent in English together would offer an additional dimension with the ball in hand, though Freddie Steward’s demotion in Full-back would also rob their air master’s team.
“Marcus is definitely another set of eyes that are very opportunistic.” Where is the space? Who can beat? “,” Said attack coach Richard Wigglesworth.
“But Freddie Steward brings an extraordinary level of high ball skills and a return return that is very crucial on the return path. There are competitive demands you are trading all the time.
“We are blessed when we have three 10 that everyone can play international rugby at a high level. Fin has had less chance than the rest at the moment, but he is really clear with his game, He is sure without being arrogant and wants to get better.
“He has all the things you associate with the first 10. He is really clear to what he wants and how to better position the team.”
Fin Smith played the last 16 minutes of England’s 27-22 loss to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday
Inside the Henry Slade center will work at the same time as anyone selected in half the flight against France, and the back Exeter insists both have unique groups of skills.
“Fin sees the space really well. There will always be space in the field somewhere, you can’t protect everything, and he sees it really well,” Slade said.
“Of course he is a 10 slightly different for Marcus. Marcus has received that X factor in beating a one-in-one and all that stuff, but Fin is very discreet. He speaks very well.
“A large part of the role of a number 10 is the movement of the team where they should be on the field and it has been really good at that.”
England lost in Dublin despite debutant Cadan Murley claiming an early test
Cadan Murley has been excluded against France after suffering a foot injury in his test in Dublin test on Saturday, but could return in time for the end of six nations.
“We are guts for Cadan because what he has done is to overcome a large amount of injuries,” Wigglesworth said.
“He gets his opportunity. He scores and helps and then he is unable to be in the mix again a week later. I am glad he got his opportunity and really disappointed for him that was taken very quickly. ”
Six nations matches: second round
Saturday 8 February
Italy vs Wales (2.15 afternoon)
England vs France (4.45 afternoon)
Sunday 9 February
Scotland vs Ireland (3 in the afternoon)
