Smith is on course to make his second start in the position as head coach Steve Borthwick looks to inject pace and creativity into his backline at the expense of Freddie Steward.
A converted fly-half, Smith excelled in the group game against Chile when handed the number 15 jersey and has also starred during a number of cameos.
But Fiji are a step up in opposition, even if they lack the pinpoint kicking game to truly expose his inexperience in the position.
Borthwick names his team to face the Islanders on Friday afternoon and is expected to make another big call at fly-half with captain Owen Farrell likely to replace George Ford.
Ford was named man of the match in the emphatic Pool D wins against Argentina and Japan but the Sale ringmaster appears to have lost out to his rival’s greater impact in defence in what is a nod to the threat posed by Fiji’s power runners.
This story is from the October 13, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the October 13, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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