Former South Africa centre Robbie Fleck has delivered a damning verdict on England fly-half Marcus Smith ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations encounter against Ireland.
The 25-year-old has recovered from a calf injury and will take his place on the bench for their Round Four clash this weekend.
Smith has been in outstanding form this season and was favourite to take the reins in the Six Nations before that lower leg issue ruled him out for the first three matches.
England’s fly-half options
As a result, George Ford has started at 10 for England, with Northampton Saints playmaker Fin, the other Smith, entering the game in the second half.
Fleck is not a fan of the Harlequin, but the younger Smith left the 23 to make room for Marcus to rejoin.
He said on the Boks Office podcast, “To be honest, I don’t think he’s the answer.”
“A fantastic club player who will always open them up, especially against weaker Test sides.” However, I don’t think he can unlock them if you’re measuring yourself against the best, which is the Irish and Bok defense schemes.
“I think he’s too erratic, he will try the miracle stuff which may come off but in terms of a general game management point of view, I don’t think he’s got what it takes to deliver the killer blow against those top sides.
“The one guy I do think can do that is Finn Russell. He’s proven it time and time again. But Marcus is not the answer for me.”
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Another Bok legend’s view
Springboks legend Schalk Burger had a different opinion to Fleck, stating that Smith has not been helped by England’s game plan.
Although there is a suggestion that the Red Rose are trying to expand their style of play, Steve Borthwick – and Eddie Jones before him – prioritised set-piece and defence over attack.
Burger stated, “If Marcus Smith was playing for Scotland, they attack with a different mindset.”
It is Duhan van der Merwe’s third attempt at it. Turnover ball, Finn charges down with perhaps the worst kick of his life, manages to fall in a Scottish hand, crosses the gain line, and the very next touch is another cross-kick.
He doesn’t fear making errors. Furthermore, I believe that this English team doesn’t fit him because they don’t play as much rugby as Scotland would like to. If you make a mistake, it gets magnified.
“But he can play at Harlequins.”
