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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated that he merits the starting position for the national team's number ten versus New Zealand on Saturday.

Fin Smith delivered 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 against a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he showed an excellent balance of skill and composure, while executing several crucial choices when things didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His capacity to settle the team tactically and make important decisions represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's number one fly-half and he should begin against the All Blacks next week.

I believe the manager the England coach sees it that way too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform in big Test matches.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies due to captaincy considerations, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his performance during the visit of Argentina.

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

The Wallabies lost in Italy on Saturday, therefore we must avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been by a larger margin given how off the pace the Australians performed.

Fiji, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous while offering a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering support, I believe Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as an option at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who registered the decisive try defeating Scotland, demonstrating the significance of possessing individuals who can make genuine influence from the bench.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor between winning a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match develop from the bench while considering regarding ways he can make an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be such type influential player, including him among substitutes could be beneficial.

However, currently I don't think Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt to challenge the English defensive line, therefore it must remain watertight.

It is a position that needs to become a real strength, in defense while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I don't think Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I prefer the ball in his hands as much as possible, though I think this should occur among starters, especially during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability to make right choices under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I recall as he received possession at one stage within his own half and it looked that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required to turn the opposition since England were up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play that wins championships and wins World Cups.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he doesn't always need to be the first receiver.

I want to see him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite standards soon, similar to George Ford accomplish, especially at club level week in and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, previously you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully delivered during extremely tense games.

I believe England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the role, though Smith's defensive work combined with everything else, it makes him the better-rounded all-round player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to adjust the defensive structure while fielding someone aggressive occupying the playmaker channel, rather than someone who is somewhat reserved.

One might make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

There are so many factors that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the management choose to proceed, it will give the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, either playmaker they choose will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible territorial gains can take pressure away from England.