I reckon young Englishman will edge explosive Six Nations clash
When was the last time we had two explosive no 10s like Finn Russell and Marcus Smith playing against each other in the Six nations? I can’t remember seeing a more dynamic head-to-head for years.
The all-court no10 has made a comeback. Russell and Smith are skilful, expansive fly-halves who are up there with top-level guys like Quade Cooper, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett.
Over the last 15 years, the style of no 10s is constantly changing and evolving. We’ve seen everything from the Ronan O’Gara-style facilitator to Dan Carter, who can do it all.
I think the all-court no10 is on top right now because there is a younger generation of coaches coming through who are eager to empower the players.
At Murrayfield on Saturday, you don’t want to see these guys being restricted by their coaches and told to play a certain way. If you’re picking them, you’ve got to let them be themselves.
They both have the full package — run, kick, pass — but for me, Smith just edges it.
TEMPERAMENT
Both these guys are oozing confidence. A couple of years ago, people criticised Russell for some loose decision-making.
now he’s been given a lot more freedom and he’s thriving at an exceptionally high level. You don’t hear that criticism anymore.
Although Smith is younger, he’s overcome every hurdle that’s been put in front of him. he’s won the Premiership, played for the Lions and won a clean sweep with england in the autumn. his temperament is phenomenal and he’s accelerated tremendously over the last
couple of years. RUSSELL 9/10 SMITH 9/10
PASSING
everyone remembers those long passes Russell threw against england at Murrayfield a few years ago. Technically, Russell is very good off his left and right hand. It’s a joy to watch. his gift is spotting those long passes and having the courage and ability to execute them outstandingly.
Marcus can throw long passes too, but his best touches come with his short passing. he’s good at staying square and putting players through. A lot of it comes down to familiar combinations — and Scotland should have an edge there — but you can develop chemistry very quickly. RUSSELL 9 SMITH 8.5
RUNNING
Smith’s running game is worldclass. he’s up there with Mo’unga in the way he takes on the line and beats the first two men. he’s got that goose step and his acceleration over five metres allows him to get away and unsettle the defence.
Russell’s running game is underrated. he doesn’t move as smoothly as Smith, but he beats the first defender and gets over the gain-line.
Crucially, he comes alive in the opposition 22 — something that was always hammered home to me by guys like Shaun edwards.
RUSSELL 8 SMITH 9
KICKING
Defences push up so high that it’s vital to mix up your kicking game. There’s a lot of space out there and it’s just about how you find it. You can’t always keep the ball in hand. In recent weeks, Russell and Smith have both shown how to exploit that space.
Their short games are similar. You rarely see them kick when it’s not on. They make good decisions, even when they’re playing at full speed, and execute pinpoint kicks that change a game.
They have the ability to drop the ball on to their foot in the middle of a passing play and execute a low cross-field kick to the winger.
Smith edges it with his goal kicking because he’s hit some vital late points for harlequins this season.
RUSSELL 8 SMITH 9
GAME MANAGEMENT
These players thrive when they have structures in place that suit them. On the pitch, they just want to be thinking about making the correct decisions, rather than barking at players to get in the right positions — because their natural style isn’t just relaying what the coach said in the week.
If everything is in sync, which it is at both of their clubs right now, then they just have to get a feel for the flow of the game and make good decisions under pressure. RUSSELL 9 SMITH 9
X FACTOR
You don’t have to be a rugby expert to appreciate some of the things they do. They have outstanding skillsets that young kids will see and try to copy. The goose steps, the no-look passes, the delicate kicks.
Smith’s X factor is his running ability and Russell’s is his passing game. It’s all good having fancy tricks but the skill is knowing when to do them. That feel and awareness is what makes these guys special.
RUSSELL 9 SMITH 9
EXPERIENCE
Russell has been around the block so he edges it. Going to a hostile Murrayfield will be a new experience for Smith and lots of others in the england team. But all you can go off is history and, from what I’ve seen so far, Smith doesn’t get affected by that. Sometimes youth brings blissful ignorance.
RUSSELL 9 SMITH 8
TOTAL RUSSELL 61 SMITH 61.5