Stylish Smith passes audition at No 10

MARCUS Smith passed his first major audition for a permanent role at No.10 as England shook off their jet lag to put eight tries past a novice Japan team.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

But Charlie Ewels’ red card put another spanner in the works of the tour with the lock almost certain to be banned for the rest of the trip.

Smith got the nod ahead of his namesake Fin and, with George Ford injured and Owen Farrell off limits, took his chance almost perfectly with a try part of a 13-point haul and a yellow card the only black mark. He was shown yellow for a late challenge on Japan full-back Yoshitaka Yazaka after 54 minutes when he was affected by cramp and Fin Smith was put on as soon as the sinbin had elapsed.

The Harlequin was given an open goal against a Japan side, with Eddie Jones’ first 23 in the first game of his second stint in charge of the Brave Blossoms containing eight debutants. He flourished in the heat of Tokyo, against a fairly callow side, now the acid test is whether he can do it against the All Blacks in Dunedin and Auckland where the conditions will be on the other end of the spectrum.

Smith had managed to amass 32 caps before yesterday without nailing down the fly-half berth although he has only started there four times under Steve Borthwick. In every camp he has been in the shadow of either Farrell or Ford, or both, but yesterday he as given licence to run the show – albeit not against the world’s strongest side.

And he looked a man on a mission as he helped England get through a rocky first 15 minutes when they were all at sea against a Japanese side playing at high tempo. You can think what you like about Eddie Jones but he knows how to coach a rugby team and he sent his latest crew out with a clear plan.