- Borthwick announced his team to face the Brave Blossoms on Tuesday morning
- England will play Japan in four days at the Olympic Stadium in the capital
- A vote of confidence for Smith is evidence of Borthwick’s faith in his young stars
It was a resounding statement of confidence in a young England team and its playmaker prodigy, as Steve Borthwick named his line-up to face Japan two days earlier than planned, with Marcus Smith at 10.
The national coach will have caught his former Red Rose boss, Eddie Jones, off-guard with the unprecedented ploy to reveal his hand four days before the showdown with Japan at the Olympic Stadium. Borthwick played down any suggestion that it was an initiative-seizing move, but it felt like one, as he conveyed a sense that the tourists have clarity and conviction. Not only that, he unveiled a side with a promising blend of experience and youth, power and pace.
There was going to be a Smith at fly-half, but which one? Marcus, the 25-year-old Harlequin with 32 caps or Northampton rookie Fin – who steered the Saints to Premiership title glory at the age of 22. The more established man won the vote, as Borthwick reverted to the playmaker he had lined up for the attack leader role in the Six Nations, before a pre-championship calf injury re-opened the door to George Ford.
Without that veteran 10 or Racing 92 recruit Owen Farrell peering over his shoulder, Marcus Smith has a prime opportunity here – and in New Zealand next month – to put his imprint on England’s expanding repertoire. He will do so armed with an emphatic endorsement from the man who has picked him to start against the Brave Blossoms.
‘I rate Marcus exceptionally highly,’ said Borthwick, of the precocious talent who has emerged as a poster-boy for English rugby over the last few years, without yet managing to make the 10 shirt his own. ‘He is a young man who is already very experienced and there is continuity since that latter part of the Six Nations. The way he came back from his injury during the Six Nations and the way he played post Six Nations – I think he’s been exceptional.’
Steve Borthwick caught his opposite number by surprise with England team announcement
Marcus Smith (pictured) at No 10 has the opportunity to make his mark in the post-Owen Farrell era
Whether Eddie Jones will fall victim to the mind games – if intentional – remains to be seen
By way of further explanation for the fly-half decision, Borthwick added: ‘As a player, Marcus has more line-breaks per game than any other fly-half in the Premiership. We played against Japan at Twickenham in 2022, we were scoring tries, he was assisting tries and making line-breaks himself.’
There were fresh indications from the head coach that he will shift the starting Smith to full-back later in the game, to deploy him in a playmaker double-act with the assured Fin, who was named among the replacements. Away from the focus on the back-line conductors, there were three other changes to the most recent England XV, with Bevan Rodd and Chandler Cunningham-South promoted to the pack and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso reinstated on the wing.
Harlequins flanker Cunningham-South offers a lineout outlet at blindside but also, crucially, he offers gainline-busting clout. Borthwick said: ‘Chandler’s development physically has been enormous this season. His point of difference is his ball-carrying. He has carry dominance of nearly 30 per cent and that is a very high level. We want that in our team.’
Lurking on the bench will be a fit and motivated Tom Curry, with the Sale flanker desperate to make his presence felt after a long post-World Cup absence to allow recovery from complex hip surgery. England are delighted to have him back, with Borthwick saying: ‘Tom Curry has worked exceptionally hard to be here. To have him back in an England shirt is very exciting for all of us. He is world-class.’
Tom Curry will be waiting in the wings to step up for his return after undergoing surgery
Whatever mind-games or tricks Jones may have up his sleeve later this week, Borthwick was highly respectful of the man who presided over his coaching education, with Japan and England, adding: ‘Eddie had an enormous effect on Japanese rugby previously and we all know just how good a coach he is. We have enormous respect for him as a coach and we expect a really strong Japan team on Saturday afternoon.’
However strong they are, based on this early, positive selection, England should be stronger.
