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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot as England's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced arguably the most impressive defensive performance we have seen by an English playmaker in several years.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, and made several crucial choices during moments were not going to plan in the first half.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the squad tactically and make big calls is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's primary fly-half and he should begin against New Zealand next week.

I believe head coach the England coach views it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership considerations, and part of that decision aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up from the performance against Australia.

Australia lost on Italian soil last weekend, so we should avoid becoming overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin considering how below par Australia performed.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him while providing backup, I think Smith will find himself in a very strong position as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as an option at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to establish himself, though he requires liberty to show his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of possessing individuals who can make a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be such type of impactful performer, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a position that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

It is a position that needs transforming into a real strength, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Right now, I believe Marcus functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to see the benefit of playing him there.

I prefer possession in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be among starters, especially in the final quarter.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously a lot of similarities comparing Ford with Smith.

Smith possesses the ability executing right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions are not something that can be taught.

I remember as he received possession at one stage just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he thought they needed reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin them back applying the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing titles and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure directing teammates nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the chance demonstrating that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran accomplish, especially at club level week in and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, previously one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

Numerous factors that go on privately, however the management choose to proceed, this will present the opponents problems.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, either playmaker selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute for a potential territorial gains might relieve all the stress off England.