England coach Steve Borthwick insists Marcus Smith can stay a “game-changer” regardless of dropping him to the bench for Sunday’s Six Nations conflict in opposition to Italy at Twickenham.
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Smith moved from fly-half to full-back following England’s opening 27-22 loss to champions Eire in Dublin and featured in his much less favoured position as Borthwick’s males revived their title bid with tense one-point wins over each France and Scotland.
However now he’s on the bench, with Fin Smith who began at fly-half within the 26-25 and 16-15 victories over France and Scotland respectively persevering with in the important thing playmaking position in opposition to Italy.
The skilled Elliot Daly is available in for Marcus Smith at No 15 whereas centre Fraser Dingwall has been recalled after Henry Slade was dropped from the matchday 23 totally.
“I understand every player wants to start,” Borthwick instructed reporters on the squad’s Bagshot coaching base on Wednesday. “It’s been the same for every England player in every generation.”
However the former England captain added: “Marcus has done so many things we want. He’s a game-changer. He has impact in games. When he has the impact, it’s a different time of the game now to what it has been…He has the ability to find space that other players can’t.
“The exiting factor I am trying ahead to is unleashing him when there is a little bit of fatigue on the pitch, there is a little bit of house.”
Borthwick’s revamp means five of England’s seven backs are all from Premiership champions Northampton.
Dingwall will have scrum-half Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith inside him, with two more Saints stars in Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme on the wings. – ‘Heavy’ England shirt –
Borthwick now wants them to transfer their club understanding to the Test arena as England who’ve never lost to Italy look to stay in touch with leaders Ireland, who face France in Dublin on Saturday.
“After I watched Mitch and Fin Smith and Fraser at 9, 10 and 12, their alignment and velocity to place the ball is attending to them with out something being referred to as, with out something being mentioned,” he explained.
“There’s an understanding there that I believe is enhanced by simply how a lot time they have been collectively.”
England were outscored three tries to one by Scotland, with Borthwick now hoping his rejigged team can play a quick, handling game so as to negate the breakdown strength of an Italy side thrashed 73-24 by a rampant France last time out.
A fast-paced approach was something Borthwick wanted to see from England against Scotland.
But the coach, not for the first time, suggested the pressure of the occasion had got to his players.
“My job is to make sure they go on the grass and this shirt doesn’t really feel heavy,” said Borthwick. “I believe probably a few weekends in the past that is what it did.
“There’s a chance to throw a quick line-out, almost immediately at the start of the game and go. That’s exactly what I have said to them: I want you to take the opportunity and put speed in this game.”
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