Smith can forge iron in the fire
MARCUS SMITH is firing on all cylinders as he launches his attempt to derail Ireland’s Grand Slam bid at Twickenham on Saturday.
The fly-half has trained this week but one of the other 10s in the squad, Fin Smith, is set to be ruled out with a calf injury.
Northampton’s Smith was the only squad member not fully involved in yesterday’s session in Bagshot.
Smith, 25, has not featured in the Six Nations so far, after he injured his calf in a pre-tournament camp in Girona.
But with his namesake out of the reckoning he is odds-on to feature in the 23 against Ireland and could start ahead of
George Ford and partner the returning Alex Mitchell at half-back.
And assistant coach Kevin Sinfield says Harlequins’ Smith and scrum-half Mitchell will add pace to England’s pedestrian attack. Sinfield said: “You want your best players to be fit and the two of those have been fantastic for us. Mitch and his speed of ball and threat around the ruck has been really important for us.
“Likewise, to have Marcus available having not had him available throughout the Six Nations is a big boost for everybody. Not only with what he brings on the field but off the field as well.
“He has got a bit about him, got some bounce about him, a big smile and he loves being out on the training field. He has had a big impact this week.
“I’ve loved working with him, and he’s an incredible talent isn’t he? He can play.
“The bounce he brought all throughout the World Cup and our time last year together, he’s certainly brought the last two weeks, and that’s off the field as well, because he’s a good guy to be around.”