Marcus Smith challenged to be England’s answer to New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga by Eddie Jones
MARCUS SMITH has been challenged to become England’s answer to All Blacks playmakers Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga. Boss Eddie Jones is finally ready to unleash Harlequins’ Premiership winner and kick-start his Test career after two easy caps against USA and Canada this summer. Smith, 22, earned a shock Lions call-up whilst PLAYING during his […]
MARCUS SMITH has been challenged to become England’s answer to All Blacks playmakers Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga.
Boss Eddie Jones is finally ready to unleash Harlequins’ Premiership winner and kick-start his Test career after two easy caps against USA and Canada this summer.
Smith, 22, earned a shock Lions call-up whilst PLAYING during his second outing at Twickenham.
But after Jones dropped George Ford for an England training camp later this week, he is finally ready to hand Smith the keys to the no.10 shirt.
And he said: “We are looking for him to continue to develop his game and you’ve just got to see the way that Barrett and Mo’unga are playing for the All Blacks, what’s needed in a modern day 10.
“A 10 that can take the line on, can be aggressive, know when to hold his depth, and be an extra man in defence.
“And that’s what we’re looking for him to develop his game.”
After their England’s worst Six nations finish, Jones has also vowed to get Owen Farrell firing again.
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But with classy playmaker Smith penciled into his side this autumn, that is likely to be as an inside centre – not the captain’s preferred fly-half position.
The Aussie boss said: “All I am worried about is getting Owen back to his best.
“He has not been at his best over the last period of time, but I am convinced that we can get him back to his best and then we will decide the leadership of the team.
“At this stage there is no reason why he won’t be captain.”
Asked to explain just why 92-capped Farrell was mis-firing, Jones added: “I think there are a number of reasons.
“He had Covid before the Six Nations, his team was in the Championship, they had spasmodic training sessions and he didn’t get high quality games. They also played back to back seasons.
“Look at South Africa at the moment and how they are struggling after ten weeks in the bubble in South Africa. This has been a difficult period for the players.
“Some players have reacted well and some players have not reacted well.
“For some players, we have decided to give them a rest and for others they need to get back in and stoke the fires.
“I have got no doubt that Owen will be back to his best by the autumn.”