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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the best defensive performance we have seen by an English fly-half in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing defensive hits versus a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing several crucial decisions during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His capacity to settle the team strategically while making big calls represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

In my opinion, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and he should start versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach views it similarly as well, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform in big international games.

Team Selection Amid Rivalry

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his form from the tour of Argentina.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly threatening and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place in his career.

The Harlequins star must also be regarded as a possibility when appropriate and versus the right opposition.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to find his feet, though he requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive score defeating Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players who can make a real impact from the bench.

Such type of player can be the deciding factor separating victory a World Cup from failure.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make a difference upon entering.

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

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith to be such type of impactful player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, currently I believe Marcus is the answer at full-back, making it a position remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge England's defensive line, so it has to be watertight.

This role that needs to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I don't think Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the advantage of playing him in that position.

I prefer possession in his hands frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities between Ford with Smith.

Fin has the capacity to make right decisions under pressure - his instincts represent traits that can be taught.

I recall when he got possession during one phase within his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

But in those milliseconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition since England were leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure them back applying pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing championships while claiming World Cups.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure during intensity to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary option.

I hope to witness him given the chance to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen George Ford do, particularly during club level repeatedly consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, where historically one might suggest there have been times where he didn't fully done so in the very highest-pressure matches.

I think England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the job, though Smith's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to adjust your defensive system while fielding someone aggressive in the fly-half channel, rather than an individual being somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches choose to proceed, this will present New Zealand difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half they choose can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick and execute for a potential 50-20 can take all the stress off England.