Borthwick’s dropped the ball by not starting flying Fin
IF England were playing France, let alone Italy, this weekend I would still have picked Fin Smith at No 10. The failure to start the Northampton man in Rome is a huge, missed opportunity.
Had he been fit, I’m sure Marcus Smith would have started at fly-half for the beginning of this year’s Six Nations and rightly so. He really does deserve his chance.
His calf injury undoubtedly put a spanner in the works for Steve Borthwick. But when the Harlequin was ruled out, it had to be his namesake Fin to step in from the off and not George Ford who is the one who will begin the match.
There is no doubt Ford is a wonderful player. He always has been and at only 30, still has a huge amount to offer in the coming years. But the two Smiths — Marcus and Fin — can spark the sort of unpredictable, fast, and aggressive attacking game that England badly need. Ford is undoubtedly the safe option. But England need to let off the handbrake. If it was a risk playing Fin Smith, I could understand the decision. But it clearly isn’t because of the stunning form in the Premiership and Champions Cup this season.
Also, there can be no doubt Italy are the weakest opposition in the Championship which means, in theory, that Fin Smith could have had an easier ride on his debut compared to facing other teams.
In many ways though, the opposition is irrelevant because, like I say, if I was coach I’d have started Fin Smith regardless. It’s more than obvious to me that Fin Smith has something special about him. For a young player he can control a game very well. We saw that in Northampton’s European win at Munster.
Hopefully he gets some decent time off the bench this weekend. I am pleased Alex Mitchell has brushed off a leg infection to start at scrum-half. I thought he was excellent at the World Cup.
Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell have dominated the 9-10 axis for the best part of a decade. New partnerships at half back will define England’s success in the coming years and that is why it is such a shame not to see that evolution begin now.
England finished third at the tournament in France but they didn’t perform as they could have done. Their gameplan and selection was far too conservative to mix it at the top table.
Like the World Cup, England have a dream draw in this Six Nations. They start in Italy having never lost to the Azzurri. Then they will meet a very inexperienced Wales side at Twickenham.
They have the players to blow both Italy and Wales away. But the key question is do they have the attacking game plan to do it? I really hope so. In 2024, they should go into the Scotland game in round three top of the table and then we will see what the team is really about.
England’s forward pack for Rome should get on top. I’m looking forward to seeing how Jamie George goes as captain. Ethan Roots at flanker is an interesting call. But, the more I think about it, the more I wish the Northampton tyro was starting.