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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the first-choice spot as England's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive performance observed by an English fly-half in several years.

His courageous approach by consistently making his tackles versus a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of finesse and control, while executing some strong decisions during moments were not going as expected during the opening period.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to calm the squad strategically while making big calls is something he has really mastered.

In my opinion, the young fly-half is England's number one fly-half and he should begin against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe head coach the England coach sees it similarly too, because Fin has proven he can perform in big Test matches.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half began last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his form during the visit of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant step up from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia lost on Italian soil on Saturday, therefore we must not get overly excited about that victory, which should have been more comprehensive considering how below par Australia performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, were much more threatening and presented a much more difficult challenge.

Long-term Potential

Fin Smith remains just 23 - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering backup, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith also has to be regarded as a possibility at the right time and versus the right opposition.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks introduced their impact player, who registered the decisive score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating a real impact as substitutes.

Such type of player might represent the difference between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the match unfold while substituted and thinks about how he can make an impact upon entering.

His choices and error rate have improved significantly from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

Should we develop Smith as such type of impactful player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role remaining up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing England's defensive line, so it has to be impenetrable.

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

Currently, I don't think Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I want possession under his control as much as possible, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous parallels between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make right decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits that can be taught.

I recall when he got the ball during one phase just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing the opposition since England were leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure them back applying the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking securing championships while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure to organise teammates nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite level next week, similar to George Ford do, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly consistently.

In Argentina, the experienced fly-half similarly excelled in difficult situations, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so during extremely tense games.

I think we have playmaking options capable of performing the job, though Smith's defensive work combined with additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round player.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have someone aggressive occupying the playmaker position, rather than an individual being a little more passive.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off the bench.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give the opponents difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Fin's ability to pick the right kick and execute enabling possible territorial gains might relieve pressure off England.