- Borthwick announced that his team will face the Brave Blossoms on Tuesday morning.
- England will play Japan at the capital’s Olympic Stadium four days later.
- The vote of confidence in Smith is evidence of Borthwick’s faith in his young star.
Steve Borthwick named the line-up to face Japan two days earlier than scheduled, with Marcus Smith aged 10. It was an unwavering expression of confidence in the young England team and its playmaking prodigy.
The national team coach will catch his former Red Rose boss Eddie Jones off guard with an unprecedented ploy to reveal his hand just four days before the clash with Japan at the Olympic Stadium. Borthwick dismissed any suggestion that it was a leading move, but it felt like it, conveying a sense of clarity and confidence to the tourists. In addition, he showed promise by combining experience, youth, power and speed.
There was going to be Smith at fly-half, which one? Marcus, a 25-year-old Harlequin man who made 32 appearances, or Northampton rookie Fin, who led Saints to Premiership title glory as a 22-year-old. With Borthwick reverting to his chosen playmaker, the more established man won the vote. A role as attacking leader in the Six Nations before a calf injury before the Championship reopened the door for George Ford.
With veteran 10 or Racing 92 rookie Owen Farrell watching over his shoulder, Marcus Smith has a golden opportunity to leave his mark on England’s expanding repertoire here and in New Zealand next month. He will do so with strong support from whoever chose him to take on the Brave Blossoms.
‘I think very highly of Marcus,’ said Borthwick, a precocious talent who has become synonymous with English rugby over the past few years but is yet to make the number 10 shirt his own. ‘He is a young man who already has a lot of experience and has continuity since the latter part of the Six Nations. I think the way he came back from injury during the Six Nations and the way he played after the Six Nations was exceptional.’
Steve Borthwick has captured the surprise opposition numbers with his England squad announcement.
Number 10 Marcus Smith (pictured) has a chance to make his mark in the post-Owen Farrell era.
It remains to be seen whether Eddie Jones will fall victim to mind games, if intentional.
Commenting further on the fly-half decision, Borthwick added: ‘As a player, Marcus makes more line breaks per game than any other fly-half in the Premiership. We played against Japan at Twickenham in 2022 and we scored a try, he assisted the try and had a line break of his own.’
The manager gave fresh indications that he would convert starter Smith to fullback late in the game, deploying him in a playmaking double act with Finn named as one of the substitutes. Moving away from the focus on backline conductors, there were three other changes to the most recent England XV. Bevan Rodd and Chandler Cunningham-South have been promoted to the pack and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns to the wing.
Harlequins’ wide striker Cunningham-South not only provides a lineout outlet on the blindside, but also crucially provides leverage to break down the gainline. Borthwick said: ‘Chandler’s physical progress this season has been huge. The difference is he has the ball. He has a carry dominance of nearly 30%, which is very high. That’s what we want on our team.’
There will be a healthy and motivated Tom Curry on the bench. Sale flanker Tom Curry is desperately trying to make his presence felt after a lengthy absence since the World Cup to recover from his complicated hip surgery. England are delighted to have him back and Borthwick said: ‘Tom Curry has worked exceptionally hard to get here. Having him back in an England shirt is very exciting for all of us. He is world class.’
Tom Curry will be waiting to return after surgery.
Regardless of what mind games or tricks Jones pulls later this week, Borthwick has great respect for the man who led his coaching education in Japan and England, adding: ‘Eddie has previously had a huge impact on Japanese rugby and we all know what a good coach he is. We have a lot of respect for him as a coach and we expect a really strong Japanese team on Saturday afternoon.’
No matter how strong they are, England will be stronger based on these early positive choices.
