England ready to gamble on Marcus Smith for Rugby World Cup showdown with Fiji

Harlequins star is set for just his second full-back start in quarter-final, with Owen Farrell expected to move to fly-half at the expense of George Ford

Nick Purewal12 October 2023

Marcus Smith is expected to start at full-back in England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against Fiji in Marseille on Sunday.

The Harlequins playmaker is understood to be in line to make just his second-ever start at No15 at any level in England’s last-eight battle.

Head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to remodel his backline to inject pace and creativity to the wider channels to take on the dangerous Fijians. Owen Farrell is expected to move to fly-half, with George Ford proving extremely unlucky if overlooked for selection this week.

Freddie Steward has been a near ever-present at full-back for England since his 2021 debut, turning into one of the world’s safest pair of hands under a high ball. The Leicester star can count himself unfortunate not to start should Borthwick make good on plans to field Smith there.

Gamble: England look set to line up with both Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell against Fiji

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England struggled in all facets in last weekend’s 18-17 win over Samoa that completed their Pool D schedule. They have stepped into the knockout stage with a 100 per cent record of four wins from four matches, but that record masks England’s continually stuttering attack, and boss Borthwick now appears ready to reshuffle his resources again in a bid to fire his side into full offensive life.

Smith made his first-ever start at full-back at any level in England’s 71-0 demolition of Chile four weeks ago. The fly-half has jumped at the chance to feature in a new position, with the idea first floated by defence coach Kevin Sinfield across the summer training camps.

Smith has emerged as England’s fastest player across 15 metres, having worked on his acceleration and top-line speed for years. The 24-year-old recently revealed he has been working with British Olympic great Daley Thompson on Brighton’s seafront.

England captain Farrell and Smith linked impressively at fly-half and full-back in the 11-try thrashing of Chile, and the Red Rose coaches have growing confidence in the pairing.

England ought to be overwhelming favourites to beat Fiji, the only tier-two nation to reach this stage. But Fiji toppled England for the first time ever 30-22 at Twickenham in August.