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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten against the All Blacks this weekend.

Fin Smith produced arguably the best defensive performance we have seen by an English fly-half in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against a physical Fijian team stood out remarkably.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and composure, while executing some strong decisions when things were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His capacity to calm the team tactically and make important decisions is something he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith represents England's number one playmaker and he should start against New Zealand next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important international games.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his performance during the visit of Argentina.

But England's showing against Fiji represented a marked step up compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated in Italy last weekend, so we should not get too carried away with that win, which should have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a much more difficult test.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering support, I think Smith will find himself in a very strong place as a player.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who registered the match-winning score defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of having players capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game develop while substituted while considering regarding ways he can make a difference when he comes on.

His decision-making and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially since his early professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith to be such type of impactful player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus is the answer in the number fifteen position, making it a position remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick testing England's defensive line, therefore it must remain watertight.

This role requiring to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to see the benefit fielding him in that position.

I prefer possession in his hands frequently, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability to make the correct choices during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something that can be coach.

I recall when he got the ball during one phase just inside his own half and it looked like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed to turn the opposition since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing championships and wins World Cups.

All-round Ability

He also has composure under pressure directing teammates nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't always need to be the first option.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity to show that at the highest level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, especially at domestic matches week in and week out.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, previously you could argue occasions existed he has not quite done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I think we have two fly-halves who can do the role, but with Fin's defence on top of additional qualities, establishes him as the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than an individual being a little more reserved.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many considerations that go on privately, however the coaches choose to proceed, this will present the opponents problems.

That has not always been the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on selecting the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take pressure off England.