JD STOKED BY STAR MARCUS
MARCUS SMITH should start for England against Australia with Owen Farrell on the bench.
That’s the view of Jonathan Davies, a fly-half in the same dashing mould as Harlequins’ young playmaker.
Wales legend Davies watched Smith carve it up against Tonga on Saturday and says the time is right to blood the 22-year-old alongside centres Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade.
“Marcus Smith has pace and vision, he sees and tries things,” said Davies. “He is exciting to watch, a special talent.
“He has won a Premiership, been called up by the Lions and is a player in form.
“This is the time to see if he can do it against top-class international opposition.”
Davies’ opinion carries weight because he was a superstar of union and league from the moment he exploded on to the Test scene at exactly the same age as
Smith. He recognises the young Quins ace as a rare talent but also fully appreciates the qualities Farrell offers.
“People knock Farrell but I love his attitude, I love his aggression,” said Davies. “I’m a big, big fan of his.
“But when it comes to Six Nations or World Cups, you know what he brings.
“What Eddie Jones needs to find out is whether Smith can see the opportunities he does at club level – and take them.
“If he doesn’t react as well, gets caught and is turned over on a couple of occasions, he might have to curb his attacking ambition a little. But Eddie needs to find that out because if he is ready, he’ll bring an extra dimension to England’s game.”
Jones names his side tomorrow and has Farrell available after his Covid test was a false positive.