FIN THE MOOD

England have injury worries but Wigglesworth believes uncapped youngster could be a perfect 10

FIN SMITH could be handed the keys to No.10 for England’s Six Nations Italian job on Saturday with doubts over Marcus Smith and George Ford.

And the 21-year-old fly-half has been backed to be up to the job in Rome by attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, despite being uncapped and a youngster.

Ford has been struggling with a knee issue but did train in Spain yesterday at the base of Girona FC, but Smith received a glowing reference from Wigglesworth.

Smith masterminded Northampton’s 26-23 Champions Cup win over Munster at Thomond Park recently and has overseen their rise to the top of the Premiership.

Wigglesworth (right) said: “He’s a very impressive young man, in terms of how he has got good opinions on the attack, good solutions for people – ‘I’d like you to do this, are we thinking about this?’ – he’s proactive and already offering that.

“He has had a really good start, and is impressive. After meeting him, and training with him for a couple of weeks in World Cup training camp, that’s what I remember from him and he’s developed again and is playing really well.

“Fin is that sort of character who is very keen to improve. He’s got a winning mentality, a winning edge to him. I really like that he’s driven that team forward at Northampton and he’s made a big difference to them.”

Ford had an injection in his knee recently and played in Sale’s 37-24 defeat to La Rochelle 10 days ago before joining up with England. But he handed over kicking duties in that match to centre

Sam Bedlow although England were playing down his problem yesterday.

“He’s fully operational,” added Wigglesworth. “It was just a bit of knee pain that was affecting his kicking on the snap right at the very end. He’s done a load of work with Kevin Sinfield and, by all accounts, he’s missed one all week.”

Meanwhile, Exeter centre Henry Slade, back in the squad after his World Cup rejection, has revealed his role in persuading Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to choose England over Wales.

The flying youngster, born in Cardiff, is eligible for both countries but Slade had a word in his ear about plumping for England in full view of Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins, who is also at Chiefs. Slade said: “After we played Bristol, he was having a chat with me about England and Dafydd was talking to him about Wales – and Joe Hawkins got a picture of it. It sounds like I won that discussion.”

Slade, 30, is currently in contract talks with Exeter and French clubs have been circling but a move over the Channel would end his England career.

“I’ve got to see what cards are on the table. I’m more than happy to stay at Exeter,” he added.