Steve Borthwick has hinted that Marcus Smith could be used at full-back during the Six Nations as the England rugby head coach considers his playing options.
Smith spent the entirety of the Autumn Nations Series as Borthwick’s starting fly-half, impressing in a lean campaign for the team.
However, his ability to play at full-back could offer an intriguing tactical dimension, with George Furbank likely to miss the entire tournament after fracturing his arm in December.
Furbank’s Northampton team-mate Fin Smith and Sale’s George Ford have been in good form for their clubs, raising the possibility of Borthwick starting one of the two at 10 in England’s opening match against Ireland February 1st.
And after reinventing Smith as a full-back during England’s 2023 World Cup campaign, Borthwick has hinted a return to the role could be a possibility over the coming weeks.
“I think Marcus is a 10 who can play at 15,” Borthwick explained. “It’s a conversation I had with Marcus. I think he sees things the same way.
“I know his favorite position is 10. I also see, we discussed it at length, he is a player who in space is incredibly dangerous. And I started it at 15 in the England jersey, but I recently started it at 10 and then moved up to 15 later in games. Having that versatility is really important. I think he’s a 10 who can play at 15.”
While Borthwick’s squad was relatively short on new faces, Harlequins pair Cadan Murley and Oscar Beard have both been included and will be hoping to push for debuts after being named in previous squads without earning cap.
Number eight Tom Willis, who made his only England appearance in a warm-up match ahead of the World Cup, is more likely to challenge for a place in the 23 after producing exceptional form for Saracens this season .
“Tom put a lot of effort into developing speed, movement and agility,” Borthwick said. “He was always a formidable ball carrier and a tough tackle.
“When a player goes out and shows he wants to work on these things, I see it, and he deserves immense credit. Players with that level of hunger, that level of desire are exactly the type of player I want in this England team.
There was no room on the team for veteran prop Dan Cole, with younger options prioritized over tight end. The England head coach, however, insisted there could still be a future at international level for the 37-year-old, who has not retired from Test Rugby.
Borthwick said: “I’ve had a number of conversations with Dan and when I spoke to him yesterday and had the conversation with him it was ‘make sure your phone is on and you’re in good condition, because I need you to be ready’.
“He absolutely assured me he would be ready to go. He was absolutely brilliant. The influence he has had within this team has been brilliant in helping the players develop. As a senior player in the team, it’s really important and I thank him for it. I am sure that if necessary he will be ready to return.