England Faces Crucial Decision on Whether to Keep Marcus Smith at Fly-half or Move Him to Fullback in World Cup Preparation

As England prepares for crucial matches ahead, the debate around who should start at fly-half is becoming increasingly complicated.

The big question is: who should take up the No 10 spot in what could be England’s most competitive lineup?

Marcus Smith Should Stick to Fly-Half, Not Fullback

When it comes to Marcus Smith, there’s no doubt about his talent.

He’s one of the world’s top fly-halves and deserves to start in that position for England.

I firmly believe that Marcus should stay at No 10 and battle for his place there, even if it means facing stiff competition.

Moving him to fullback, even as a temporary solution, doesn’t seem like the right choice.

While he may have some skills for the position, he simply doesn’t stand out as one of the world’s best 15s.

Switching between different positions may seem like a quick fix, but it risks squandering the full potential of one of your most talented players.

If I were advising Marcus, I would tell him to stay at fly-half and fight for his place, regardless of where the chips fall.

Time to Look at the Inside Centre Position

The real area of focus for head coach Steve Borthwick should be the inside centre position.

The current pairing of Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade isn’t delivering the desired results.

It’s time to experiment and look for a new combination, particularly in the vital 10-12 axis, which has proven to be a struggle for England in recent years.

To be brutally honest, England hasn’t had a player at 12 who can really control the attack since the days of Will Greenwood.

What England needs is a ball-playing inside centre who can offer creativity and add another attacking dimension to the backline.

Fin Smith has all the qualities to step up into this role and potentially become a world-class inside centre, bringing much-needed depth to the team’s attacking play.

Fin Smith at 12 Could Be a Game-Changer for England

With the talent available in the England backline, it’s crucial that the inside centre position is filled by someone who can link up effectively with Marcus Smith at fly-half and the back-three players.

The transition from fly-half to inside centre is a lot more natural than moving to fullback, which is why Fin would be a great fit at 12.

Despite not being the biggest player, Fin has already proven that he’s capable of handling the physical demands of the position.

He’s shown defensive strength and resilience and, knowing his style of play, I believe he would thrive at inside centre.

Playing week in, week out at fly-half for his club has given him the experience and skills needed to become a real attacking threat at 12.

England Needs to Step Up if They Want to Compete for the World Cup

If England is serious about winning the next World Cup, they need to take their game up a notch.

Currently, they don’t look like a team ready to claim the top spot on the global stage.

That means making bold decisions, trying new player combinations, and being open to change.

Starting with a fresh centre pairing of Marcus Smith at fly-half and Fin Smith at 12 could be just the shift England needs.

New Look Midfield: Fin and Tommy Freeman Together?

I would love to see Fin Smith and his Northampton teammate, Tommy Freeman, playing together in the centres for England.

Though they don’t typically line up in those positions for Northampton, I believe Borthwick should work with the Saints coaches to make it happen.

The idea would be to create a midfield combination that strikes fear into opponents, particularly when they take on teams like Ireland.

The Irish will have to reconsider their game plan if they face a dangerous duo like Marcus, Fin, and Freeman in the midfield.

The Perfect Back Three for England

When it comes to the back-three, I’m hoping to see Cadan Murley and Ollie Sleightholme starting on the wings.

These are two players with an undeniable knack for scoring tries.

They bring pace and finishing ability that England needs to challenge the best teams in the world.

Once George Furbank recovers, I’d expect him to slot back in at fullback.

If George Hendy is available, it would be great to give him a run at the position in the meantime.

Freddie Steward’s Role at Fullback: Is He the Right Choice?

Freddie Steward is a solid player, but I don’t think he has the pace needed to excel at the highest level, particularly at fullback.

While he might perform well for England in some matches, I’m not convinced that his attacking capabilities will challenge top teams.

If I had my way, I would consider testing Freddie at inside centre, alongside Alex Lozowski.

This could give Borthwick a better sense of the options available in the backline.

Plenty of Options, But the Time for Experimentation is Now

With so many options at England’s disposal, now is the time to experiment and try different combinations.

It’s crucial to discover the best way to unlock the full potential of the team.

As for moving Marcus Smith to fullback, I simply don’t think that’s the right call.

England has the talent to compete, but the coaching staff needs to make the most of that talent and build a team capable of winning the World Cup.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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