by The English boss Steve Borthwick supported Marcus Smith “World-Gazard goalkeeper” to reveal his destination with Scotland during the Crunch Calcutta Cup Showdown on Saturday.
After the 26-year-old Marcus Smith had been postponed to the full-back from the fly half in the second half to record Fin Smith with France for the duel with France.
Fin Smith then ended an outstanding first test by taking over the tasks and adding the extras from Fin Baxter and Elliot Daly the extras to secure an exciting success of 26-25 on the hunt for the title of Guinness Six Nations -Title held.
Borthwick, whose defense coach Kevin Sinfield proves the in-game switch, confirmed that responsibility will return this weekend at the Allianz Stadium for Marcus Smith.
“He is a first -class goal kicker. We all know that, so it’s very easy, ”said Borthwick.
The Harlequins playmaker Smith, Smith, will have another run in the unknown 15 position, where he enjoyed mixed fate against Les Bleus after Lock Ollie Chessum George Martin replaced in the only change to Borthick’s start XV.
“Listen, Marcus is a game channel. Marcus is a player with incredible skills, ”said Borthwick.
“Sometimes the opposition focuses very much on him. Sometimes the space for others creates space. Sometimes there is a window to find him.
“With Fin Smith and Marcus Smith we have two ball players, two people who see space in the front and in the back field, and this is very important this weekend.”
Calcutta Cup ready 👊
Steve Borthwick appointed his 23-player match day squad for Scotland this weekend. 🌹@O2 | #Weartherose
– England Rugby (@Englandrugby) February 18, 2025
The chess will start its first international start since last year after it was excluded from the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand and the autumn series of shoulder and knee injuries.
The 24-year-old will work with captain Maro Itoje in the second row in a direct exchange against Martin, who led a knee problem and falls on the bench.
“Very early when I was at Leicester Tigers, he was identified by all coaches as a man who would become a large leadership role,” said Borthwick about chess.
“At the beginning of this season, he headed Leicester Tigers for the first time and made it really well from every report I received.
“He has grown into a lineout leader and caller, which he hadn’t done before. He is working hard for this.
“All of this points to a man who wants to improve himself. He has the respect of everyone. He had a few setbacks for injuries and worked incredibly hard to come back.
“When he went back to the squad, you could see how happy everyone else was. He has a presence and positivity about him that rubs off everyone else. “
England tries to reach four consecutive defeats against the team of Gregor Townsend, which goes back to 2021.
The hosts of Borthwick are preparing to face the talents of the rival Fly Finn Russell, who, after an evil collision with teammates Darcy Graham, is doubtful during the second loss of Scotland against Ireland.
“I think you would expect that we are thorough and plan as if Finn is available and play, but also for the next players in these key positions – as always – plans,” said Borthwick.
“Scotland is very clever in the way they play, and they have a 10 in Finn Russell, of which many people say that they are the best beat of the world at the moment.
“He has a very varied kick game and a really attacking kick game and we have to be very sharp to ensure that the room is covered because it can find it.”
Borthwick, whose reign with a 29:23 defeat against Scotland began in 2023 with a defeat against Scotland, said: “Everyone is aware of it, but this is another group.
“This is a completely different team than that that played in Murrayfield (last year a defeat of 30 to 21). Nobody can change the story, but we can concentrate on the present. We continue. “
