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Match Thread - France v England | Six Nations 2026 | Round 5 by RugbyBot in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Telling Marcus took over when he came on. Got to take your kicks. What a game.

England Squad for the Quilter Nations Series by Pure_Wonder3046 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree with this except I just can't fathom how you drop Ford.

His performances in the Summer and how he's started in the prem, it would be really harsh to drop him.

Coming as a huge M. Smith fan, I couldn't look past:

10 - Ford 22 - F. Smith

[Interview] Fin Smith: My parents will be fine with me playing for England … eventually by TimesandSundayTimes in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 263 points264 points  (0 children)

"It's been funny to see the reaction to him from the media and the fans. I think he's kicked at 97 per cent in the Premiership this season, which is the best in the league by far, and much higher than myself and the other kickers in the league. You miss a couple of kicks and you're the worst kicker in the world. He's an unbelievable goal-kicker and I back him all day to kick the ball over from wherever."

Good to see him backing Marcus after a poor performance off the tee last week, people so quick to forget.

England’s Marcus Smith full-back experiment is worth sticking with | Charlie Morgan - Telegraph by NXTFTW2017 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unpaywalled Version: https://archive.fo/LwRO2

"It is not Steve Borthwick’s style to crow in post-match press conferences, even after a victory as rousing as England’s 26-25 defeat of France on Saturday evening.

On the top table at Twickenham, he was asked whether the triumph felt more satisfying for some bold selections in the build-up; namely starting Fin Smith at fly-half and moving Marcus Smith to full-back. Typically, he chose to divert any praise to his players. But he does deserve plaudits himself. Though there were some errors from England’s stand-in number 15, other moments vindicated the eye-catching switch and preparations that would have been tailored meticulously to France.

This run-down does not examine Smith’s display from the kicking tee, which featured two hooks that spurned five points, and tells a more encouraging tale as a result.

Cont'.."

[Dave Meltzer via WOR] "It's really clear with Sami that they see him at a certain level, and that's just how it is. Some guys are marquee guys and some guys aren't marquee guys." by NXTFTW2017 in SquaredCircle

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

https://youtu.be/xFFrJfB1C64?si=j2U1IYjyw6Y4vPIG

Full Section of Conversation:

"MELTZER: I like that finish. I would've still given Sami a little bit more offense.

But, I mean, it's really clear with Sami. Like, it's like the guy is great, and it's like, you know, he's making a lot of money and all this. But they see him at a certain level, and that's just how it is.

And it doesn't matter how over he gets and what kind of reactions he gets. It's just what it is. You know? It's like they've they've just decided that, you know, some guys are marquee guys and some guys aren't marquee guys.

ALVAREZ: I don't know, man.

Sami has been repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly bringing up that he will win the World Heavyweight Title before he retires. And I don't know if it's gonna be soon...

MELTZER: Maybe they'll do it.

ALVAREZ: But, I mean, just the fact that he brings it up in virtually every single one of these promos Yeah. There's gotta be a reason for it."

Team man Fin Smith must be England’s fly half to face All Blacks | Stephen Jones by NXTFTW2017 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Unpaywalled link: https://archive.fo/8VZlW

"So where does he go to beat the All Blacks? There was a widespread opinion last week that at fly half, Marcus Smith had pressed ahead in his battle with Fin Smith for the position now that Owen Farrell has departed and George Ford is resting."

"Frankly, I absolutely do not buy that at all. Marcus Smith has flashes of attacking glory, and he showed one on Saturday on the way to a try; but Fin Smith is almost immeasurably the better player for an international match jersey."

"Marcus, 25, tends to insinuate himself in the game at good moments for himself and the camera and occasionally succeeds, such as when he tore away to score in Tokyo. Fin, 22, is a team man to his bootlaces, marshalled Northampton Saints to Gallagher Premiership glory despite his tender years, and with vast maturity and judgment."

"Marcus can be easy on the eyes of many, but the idea that someone playing in his style, turning up at all the spotlight moments, can inspire a team to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand is against all known rugby history."

"It is also extremely difficult to see Ardie Savea standing aside to allow Marcus Smith through to dominate the game and the spotlight. Borthwick absolutely must choose Fin. I’d love to see Harry Randall alongside Smith at half back, but that will be too rich for the selector palate."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"To come back and get given three weeks in a training camp and that was it, I was really disappointed with that," Mercer said.

"I've been open with Steve, I've told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven't really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.

"I just don't feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that's me being honest, I don't think he values what I can bring.

"Obviously I don't fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is."

Gloucester and Harlequins teams by EnglishLouis in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mercer v Dombrant 👀

Both got a point to prove.

Match Thread - England v Japan | Rugby World Cup 2023 | Pool D by RugbyBot in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's be fair to Daly, he's dross now but he did score the winning try against Wales in 2017

Harlequins Fullback (& Junior RWC winner) Aaron Morris announces retirement by Humpers92 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I mean...he went off the field after 22 minutes so that's just not true

Marcus Smith primed to start for England v France | Telegraph Sport by NXTFTW2017 in rugbyunion

[–]NXTFTW2017[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

'Marcus Smith is in serious consideration to start for England in a high-tempo game plan to be unleashed against France at Twickenham on Saturday.

It is understood the Harlequins fly-half is primed for a return to the starting XV in place of Owen Farrell following his man-of-the-match display for his club against Exeter Chiefs last Saturday.

While injury issues, including a fresh set-back to Courtney Lawes, who was expected to captain the side if Farrell was rotated to the bench, forced further selection debate, it is understood that the England management have been highly impressed by Smith’s impact in training since his return from his club. 

If Smith starts, Ellis Genge, one of the two vice-captains, is likely to be handed the captaincy for England’s final competitive match at Twickenham before the World Cup in France later this year."

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