Toby Flood feels that England supporters need to give Marcus Smith some space to develop his game his game ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Speaking to The Rugby Paper Podcast, the former England fly-half said that Marcus Smith would his first choice 10 despite the return to fitness of Owen Farrell.
“Smith has been great,” said Flood – as he reflected on Smith’s first spell of international football.
On the podcast, Flood said: “On a side note, there’s some ridiculous stuff being written about how important he is for us.
“He is important. But, he’s played a handful of games.
“People are saying ‘if Smith doesn’t perform then we aren’t going to win a World Cup‘. Let’s give this guy a tiny bit of space to develop into the international game.”
“He has been exceptional for Quins in the environment he has known since he was 18. He’s walked into a spot where he knows.
“But he’s still learning the ropes at international level. It’s going to have ups and downs but he starts 100%.”
In the latest episode of The Rugby Paper Podcast, the panel of Toby Flood, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and host Oliver Little discuss what England’s starting XV should be for 2023 Rugby World Cup.
All four of the panel overwhelmingly felt that Smith should remain as England’s first choice fly-half.
Additionally, the panel agreed that Manu Tuilagi should be England’s first choice inside centre.
Toby Flood said: 12 – “Having played with or against him – he’s a phenomenon. I’d put him in there at twelve.”
However, Tuilagi’s terrible luck with injuries means England need to plan for him not to be there
The panel discussed who they would select as a replacement to Manu Tuilagi at inside centre – if the Sale centre was unavailable for selection.
Nick Cain believes that Gloucester Mark Atkinson should play at 12 in Tuilagi’s absence. However, The Rugby Paper columnist feels that England should take a look at Saracens’ Alex Lozowski and Leicester Tigers‘ Guy Porter as potential Tuilagi cover.
He added: “The talent that England haven’t got their head around is (Paolo) Odugwa at Wasps.
“Physically, he is not far short of Manu.”
Despite recently playing on the wing for Wasps, Cain believes he is better suited to the midfield.
“He doesn’t seem to be a wing for me. Over 30 yards at twelve he can make an impact.
“At least have a look at this guy. If I was Italy, I’d be phoning this guy every week.”
Owen Farrell
Brendan Gallagher feels that in the absence of Manu Tuilagi, Eddie Jones is likely to shift captain Owen Farrell to inside-centre.
The emergence of Marcus Smith at fly-half means that Farrell is no longer England’s first choice fly-half.
Brendan Gallagher said: “If Manu is not available, I have no doubt that Jones will pick Farrell at 12.”
Toby Flood added that Farrell playing in the midfield can have a positive impact on England’s attacking play, which disappointed during the Six Nations.
He said: “I do think the ability for England to have a second playmaker on the field if you can find size around them has a lot of value. Having Farrell out the back could work.”
A shift to twelve opens the door for George Ford to still play a huge part in the England squad despite
According to Flood, the Leicester Tigers fly-half “has been domestically the best player this season. He has been outstanding.”
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