Stylish Smith passes audition at No 10
The Rugby Paper|June 23, 2024
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
Stylish Smith passes audition at No 10

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.

Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024