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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star delivered without doubt the best defensive display we have seen by an English fly-half in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits against an aggressive Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and composure, while executing some strong choices during moments were not going to plan during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to calm the squad strategically and make important decisions is something he has really mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's primary playmaker and he should start versus New Zealand next week.

I believe head coach the England coach views it similarly as well, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford started last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that choice was to provide continuity and reward his form from the tour to South America.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies lost in Italy last weekend, so we should not get overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par the Australians performed.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly threatening while offering a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith is still only twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I believe Fin will be in an excellent place in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as a possibility at the right time and against the right opposition.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of having individuals who can make a real impact as substitutes.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

McKenzie observes the match unfold from the bench and thinks about how to create an impact when he comes on.

His decision-making and error rate have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus to be that kind of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, currently I believe Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a position that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks are likely to punt to challenge England's backfield, so it has to be impenetrable.

It is a position that needs to become a genuine asset, both defensively while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to identify the advantage fielding him there.

I prefer possession under his control frequently, though I think this should occur in the front line, especially during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability executing right decisions during tense moments - his instincts are not something that can be taught.

I recall as he received the ball during one phase just inside his own half and it looked like it could be should they spread play.

But in those milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness under pressure directing the players around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him given the opportunity demonstrating that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult situations, previously one might suggest there have been times he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I think we have two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, instead of an individual being somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, but whichever way the management decide to go, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on picking the right player.

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

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks and execute for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress away from England.