The Smiths set to star as Borthwick makes bold call

England coach takes a punt against France as he makes room for Fin Smith at fly-half by moving Marcus Smith to full-back

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Marcus Smith has been here before. It is the week that France are coming to Twickenham and the Harlequins playmaker is the subject of a huge selection call. In 2023, it was his promotion to the starting side at Owen Farrell’s expense; in 2025, it is his shifting to full-back to accommodate Fin Smith’s first international start at fly-half.

It was Kevin Sinfield who first suggested exploring the attacking potential that moving the Harlequin to full-back might create. During the 2023 World Cup, with England looking to find ways to maximise their offensive options amid the development of a limited kick-pressure-led gameplan, the rugby league legend and then-defence coach convinced Steve Borthwick to give it a try. Three starts at the position, including in the quarter-final against Fiji, brought three wins.

The circumstances, clearly, are different here. Necessity was not necessarily the initial mother of this invention, but with England on a run of seven straight defeats against non-Japanese opposition, Borthwick has felt a shake-up is required for the mighty challenge that awaits them tomorrow. There is a certain irony to the fact that Marcus Smith has been among England’s most consistent performers in that time, but doubts remain about his ability to best structure and set up a backline; two strengths of his younger namesake. Deploying them together, Borthwick feels, might bring the best out of both.

“It’s an exciting partnership,” the head coach said. “You’ve got two ball players there, you’ve got players who both see space, both in the front line and the backfield. I’m excited to see how they go together.”