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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the starting position as England's number ten against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced without doubt the most impressive defensive performance we have seen from an England fly-half for quite some time.

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

His game management was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and composure, and made some strong choices during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to calm the squad strategically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half is England's number one playmaker and deserves to begin against the All Blacks next week.

I think head coach the England coach views it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford began last Saturday against Australia due to captaincy reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity and reward his performance from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up compared to the display against Australia.

The Wallabies lost on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should not get overly excited with that win, which should have been by a larger margin given how off the pace Australia were.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly threatening and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to show his unique attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who scored the match-winning try defeating the Scottish team, demonstrating the importance of possessing players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

Such type of presence might represent the difference separating victory the global tournament or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the match develop from the bench while considering regarding ways to create an impact when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly since his early career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus to be that kind influential player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, so that is a position that is still up for grabs.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English backfield, so it has remain watertight.

It is a position that needs to become a real strength, both defensively while regarding of the counter-attack danger.

Currently, I believe Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to see the advantage fielding him in that position.

I prefer the ball under his control frequently, though I think that should be in the front line, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist a lot of parallels comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the ability executing right decisions under pressure - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I recall as he received possession at one stage just inside his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he thought the team required reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin the opponents and turn pressure.

That's the sort of playmaking securing championships while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise the players nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him given the chance to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled during challenging situations, where historically one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite delivered in the very highest-pressure games.

I believe England possesses two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defence on top of everything else, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to adjust your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might present compelling arguments for Ford starting and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the management decide to go, it will give the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus was simply on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half they choose can put the All Blacks significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks and execute enabling possible 50-20 might relieve pressure away from the national team.