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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the most impressive defensive display observed by an English fly-half in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making defensive hits against an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and composure, and made some strong choices when things didn't proceed as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the team strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, the young fly-half represents England's number one fly-half and deserves to begin versus New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach views it similarly too, because Fin has proven he can perform in big international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that choice was to provide consistency and reward his form from the tour of Argentina.

But England's showing against Fiji was a significant step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, that could have been more comprehensive given how below par Australia performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous while offering a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent position as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

He's progressing in his career while beginning to find his feet, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who registered the match-winning score defeating the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of having players who can make genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the game unfold from the bench while considering regarding ways he can make a difference upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have improved significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Marcus to be that kind of impactful performer, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

The All Blacks are likely to punt testing England's defensive line, therefore it must to be watertight.

This role requiring transforming into a genuine asset, in defense while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Right now, I believe Marcus is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to identify the benefit of playing him in that position.

I want possession under his control frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the capacity to make the correct decisions under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really taught.

I remember when he got possession at one stage within his own half and it looked like it could be on if they spread play.

However during these split-seconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents and turn pressure.

That's the sort of fly-half play that wins titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he doesn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, especially at club level week in consistently.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult situations, where historically one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense games.

I believe England possesses two fly-halves who can do the job, but with Fin's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded all-round player.

Tactical Setup

It also means you don't have to adjust your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is a little more reserved.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting with Smith coming off substitution.

Numerous factors occurring privately, but whichever way the management choose to proceed, this will present the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

This time, either playmaker selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity to pick the right kick while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress off England.