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England are ready to step up their experiment of playing Marcus Smith at full-back in the belief he is able to perform the fundamentals of the position.<\/p>\n
Smith will make his first start in the number 15 jersey in Saturday\u2019s Rugby World Cup clash with Chile having made cameo appearances off the bench in the previous four Tests, providing a lively counter-attacking threat and extra playmaking option.<\/p>\n
On each occasion his arrival acted as a catalyst for England with the ball in hand, particularly in Sunday\u2019s 34-12 victory over Japan.<\/p>\n
While unlikely to oust first-choice full-back Freddie Steward, Smith has the opportunity to persuade head coach Steve Borthwick that he is a viable alternative.<\/p>\n
Borthwick appears to have found an important role for one of the most exciting talents in English rugby and is confident that his dependability under the high ball and defence match his creative skills.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEveryone knows Marcus\u2019 ability with ball in hand. Everyone knows he\u2019s got a great tactical kicking game,\u201d Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving that ball in space at 15 gives him even more time to find opportunities and find more space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are seeing from him is that his ability under the high ball is very good and he\u2019s a really tough, brave defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want your full-back to make many tackles but when they do they are usually pretty important ones. Marcus has shown himself to bring a real intensity to his defence as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving Marcus as an option there is a great strength for us. Given the way he has come on to the field and played in the position, he deserves this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Owen Farrell returns from suspension to lead the team at fly-half as one of 12 changes in personnel for the clash against the lowest ranked side in Pool D at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.<\/p>\n
Borthwick has taken the opportunity to rest the bulk of his frontline stars such as stand-in skipper Courtney Lawes, full-back Freddie Steward, hooker Jamie George and centre Manu Tuilagi.<\/p>\n
Ford is not among those rotated out, however, with England\u2019s first-choice fly-half poised to step off the bench in the second half and be paired with Farrell in a playmaking axis for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge Ford has been in superb form,\u201d said Borthwick, who confirmed that Farrell remains the squad\u2019s captain despite Lawes performing well in the role against Argentina and Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill we see George Ford and Owen Farrell at 10 and 12? I think that could happen at some point in the game,\u201d Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been a great partnership in the past. They have been working together in training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have known each other for a very, very long time and you have seen the way they can work together. There\u2019s a great synergy between them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Henry Arundell makes his World Cup debut on the right wing with clear instructions from Borthwick to go hunting for the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cHenry has got a special talent and ability to beat people. Henry is a very instinctive player so I talk about backing his instincts,\u201d Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he makes a decision to go, then go. Beat people. It\u2019s what he does so very, very well. He has added other dimensions to his game.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHis defence has really, really stepped forward, his high ball has really improved. He has been working exceptionally hard on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis point of difference is his ability to beat people, so I encourage him to go and beat people.\u201d<\/p>\n