Family ties gave Marcus his edge

THERE was a moment at the end of England's one-point victory against France that said everything about the competitive side of Marcus Smith.

- Paul Eddison

England had taken the lead with only seconds left and needed to negotiate one final restart to end a run of seven successive defeats by tier-one opposition.

It was not an unfamiliar position last November Australia had reclaimed the final restart before scoring the winning try in a dramatic victory.

This time around, France kicked the restart short and it was not gathered initially, instead squirting loose to give the visitors a chance to regather and secure the win.

Instead, Smith, the smallest England player on the pitch, reacted fastest to dive on the loose ball and allow his namesake Fin Smith to kick the ball out and seal the win.