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<\/p>\nMarcus Smith will make his first ever competitive start at full-back against Chile <\/p>\n
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England defence coach Kevin Sinfield expects Marcus Smith to make the most of his starting opportunity at full-back against Chile.<\/p>\n
The Harlequins playmaker, more often a fly-half, will make his first start at 15 in his professional career in England\u2019s third Pool D game, while Owen Farrell is brought back into the side at fly half after suspension.<\/p>\n
Smith has appeared off the bench at the position in the wins of Argentina and Japan in France, but gets a first starting chance in Lille. <\/p>\n
It was Sinfield who first broached the idea with the 24-year-old during England\u2019s warm weather training camp in Verona in July, with Smith subsequently training regularly at the position.<\/p>\n
And Sinfield believes that Smith\u2019s \u201cunbelievable skill set\u201d should translate well to a new role, adding \u201cvariety\u201d to England\u2019s options for the remainder of the tournament.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMarcus has been training at full-back with us for some time now so we\u2019ve had a good look at him,\u201d Sinfield explained. \u201cHe\u2019s come on in the last two games, only for a short period against Argentina but at full-back as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel he\u2019s ready. He\u2019s got an unbelievable skill set. He\u2019s a world class player and we feel that to have someone like that in our team as a second ball player will be a great addition for us and will gives us more variety. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got Freddie Steward there who has been great for us in the first two games, but as we move through the tournament we want to have some variety and Marcus certainly brings that.\u201d<\/p>\n
England are heavy favourites against Chile, who are making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n
The South American side managed to threaten both Japan and Samoa out wide, though, and will test a reshaped English backline.<\/p>\n
Steve Borthwick\u2019s side will fancy their chances of opening things up in an attacking sense, though, and Danny Care, Smith\u2019s regular club half-back partner, is excited to see how they go.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe kid can play anywhere,\u201d Care, who makes his first World Cup start in eight years, said of Smith. \u201cWhisper it quietly, he can probably play nine as well but I don\u2019t want to get myself out of the position.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn training he\u2019s been brilliant whether that\u2019s at 10 or 15. As a second ball playing option, whether it is [Owen Farrell] and George [Ford}, or George and Marcus\u2026.when they link it looks pretty special. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing him go and can\u2019t wait to see him light up the world stage, which I know he\u2019s been able to do for a few years now. He\u2019s really excited to get out there.\u201d<\/p>\n