Paul Grayson column: Smith right call but here's why he must not run too much

11 March 2023 , 12:01

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Grayson: 'Test matches test your weaknesses as well as giving you an opportunity to showcase your own strengths' (Image: DAILY MIRROR)

Marcus Smith has his chance and for me it is the right call. A guy bang in form replacing a bloke struggling and not kicking his goals.

I have the greatest respect for Owen Farrell, who I have no doubt will be an England asset for some years to come.

But he has not been anywhere near his best in the first three rounds. England have got themselves on the front foot well and Owen has not done enough from a game-shaping point of view. So the time is right and fair play to Steve Borthwick, three Tests into his tenure as head coach, for recognising it and having the balls to do something about it.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and we will see tonight whether what seems right in theory turns out to be so in practise.

At club level Smith is a big game player, but international level is completely different. Test matches test your weaknesses as well as giving you an opportunity to showcase your own strengths.

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Sometimes under pressure, when things aren’t working as well as he’d like, Smith has a tendency to run with the ball too much. France will know that and will look to exploit it.

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Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith switch roles this evening (Getty Images)

They will play high, they will squeeze and they will dare him to run and to play out. He’ll have to sometimes resist those temptations - use the resources around him and stay patient.

In terms of what he brings, he has the whole package to pick from, not least foot speed which enables him to go for gaps Farrell would not. It will come down to where he goes instinctively when the heat is on.

Jonathan Danty is back at inside-centre for France. He is physical, dynamic, route one and, for sure, will introduce himself to Smith.

Fit-again France centre Jonathan Danty (AFP via Getty Images)

It is 18 years since France last won at Twickenham in the Six Nations. That is some stat given what England have not achieved in that time.

Shaun Edwards and his players will be desperate to put that right ahead of the World Cup but I expect England to raise their game out of fear of what the French might bring.

There is a good balance to this side and I take England to edge it and go to Ireland next week with the Championship still alive.

Paul Grayson