Marcus Smith's X Factor could lead him to Steve Borthwick's plans for the upcoming World Cup. Images/Warren Little
Marcus Smith is expected to be given the first opportunity to show why he deserves his place in England's World Cup squad by returning to the starting XV to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Smith, who last played for England in a 53-10 win against France in March, is set to renew his partnership as a midfielder with Harlequins teammate Danny Carr, with Ellis Genge likely to take charge in the absence of Owen Farrell. < /p>
The 24-year-old Smith will look to make amends against Warren Gatland's team at Principality Stadium and his superb performance will cement his place as one of three linebackers alongside Farrell and George Ford when Steve Borthwick call his 33rd. Monday.
Smith, who was named by former England manager Eddie Jones as the team's future playmaker, appears to have fallen behind Farrell and Ford in the midfield hierarchy.
But he is considered to have trained impressively during summer training camp and is considered a player who can still play an influential role in the World Cup campaign, bringing distinction to the team's attack.
Given. that both Farrell and Ford reached the Premier League final at the end of May, it makes sense to give Smith a start in the first of four World Cup warm-ups ahead of the tournament's opening game against Argentina on 9 September.
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Four years ago, Jones took only two halves to the World Cup in Japan, and Smith's selection will likely include a player missing either the last row or the last three, but the reason is that its X factor and learning experience for future campaigns justify the choice.
Smith and Care last started for England in a third test win over Australia on the Down Under tour last July, when the Harlequins fly-half attempted a 21-17 victory. However, it was less memorable for Car, who was replaced by Jones just 36 minutes later.
Telegraph Sports Analysis Borthwick loves roughnecks, but knows he needs the X factor too. the new rugby superstar who made a sensational 55m try to complete the series-winning third test against Australia at the cricket ground in Sydney.
It was an attempt that almost certainly saved Eddie Jones from the axe, at least temporarily, but more importantly, pointed to a brave new world for England's attacking game.
But when that dawn last autumn failed, and culminating in the unfortunate results of Jones being fired in December, Smith's star appeared to be waning.
Steve Borthwick's desire to restore the squad first focusing on the fundamentals of a powerful set-piece, experienced footwork and aggressive defense saw Smith being dropped on the Six Nations' first loss to Scotland at Twickenham, with Owen Farrell returning to midfield from centre.
Farrell's own decline in form, including a couple of rare goal-scoring days off, convinced Borthwick that Smith should be recalled to play France, hoping his speed would lead the high-tempo game plan.
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When England lost 53-10 at Twickenham, many feared the days of the coming man were over, especially after the return to form and form of George Ford, the midfielder who led Leicester Tigers to the Premier League title under Borthwick in 2022.
This year, Smith has performed only in fits and starts. Image Credit & Copyright: Getty Images/Glyn Kirk
This sentiment was fueled by talk of a potential move by the Harlequins player to Racing 92, which would rule him out of next season's international selection.
But at some point in the last two months, fears that Smith's career in England could take the same path as another fickle fly swatter, Danny Cipriani, appear to have subsided.
Those who are in England, the team says that he trained brilliantly during the World Cup training camp and that his attitude was positive and interesting.
As if to prove his point, he signed a new contract extension with the Harlequins to keep him at the club. outside of next season and with an expected start against Wales on Saturday, his place in Steve Borthwick's 33-man team due to be announced on Monday is in no doubt.
«Ford is like another manager.»
The change in fortune and outlook is partly due to the player's willingness to soak up information from Farrell and Ford, whose return to England has added a mentorship that should help Smith. development.
«He [Ford] is like another coach,» said Danny Kare, Smith's linebacker partner at the Quins. “Same as Owen. I think all 10s are very similar. Marcus is the same. They see the game differently. They need to know everyone's role, as well as their own. This is the quarterback position.
“I like to think that the ninth position is the most important, but I really think it is the 10th position. George's experience, no matter what team he is on, he helps them, and he's done well. He was there and did it. To keep all three here, this 10 shirt is in a good position. It will be a good fight.”
Danny Kare spoke highly of George Ford's coaching skills. Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers. It's interesting to note that Borthwick, in an interview with the Sunday Times last weekend, spoke of his desire to build a team with «two or three players who could break open defenses.»
Borthwick said: «When I signed with the Ban, I was privileged to play with people like Jeremy Gascott. The last parts of the attacking structure are the players who can bring their magic to the field, get a license to go out and play. This is something we intend to develop.”
England fans will probably be encouraged that, despite all Borthwick's talk of sweat-soaked effort, the manager himself still sees a place in his team for X -factor a. players.
The Six Nations was, at best, a containment operation for the head coach. England know they need to bolster their set pieces, exhausting game and defense, but they also know it will take more to win the World Cup.
The opportunity to play three halves in France can be seen as condescending. Jones only took Farrell and Ford to Japan four years ago, and Pierce Francis was chosen as 10/12 cover. But there are two problems here. Borthwick is looking for proven combinations given his short turnaround time.
One of them is Care-Smith, which could be used for one of the pool matches, but Farrell could still be inside center, resurrecting the partnership 10- 12 with Ford, who swept New Zealand in the semi-finals four years ago.
Smith's selection also gives Borthwick the opportunity to sprinkle the kind of magic the head coach seeks from on the bench, finding space against tedious forwards, as he has been so successful did in Sydney last summer.
Clearly Smith is giving England something different, and Borthwick is right in accommodating such amazing talent. The best may be yet to come.
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