England legend reveals the one Marcus Smith improvement that would turn the talented fly-half into a ‘superstar’

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson has suggested the area in which Marcus Smith can improve if he is to become first choice going forward.

Prior to the Six Nations, the 25-year-old Harlequin was favourite to take the starting berth due to his stunning club form, but an injury denied him that opportunity.

As a result, George Ford was handed the reins and was selected at fly-half for the first three matches, with youngster Fin Smith on the bench.

Match-winning return

Marcus Smith then recovered from injury to take his place in the 23 and came on to kick the winning drop-goal.

It has therefore given head coach Steve Borthwick a selection headache, according to Dawson, as those two battle for the shirt ahead of the France encounter next weekend.

“When Ireland went back ahead England had a little wobble but then they quickly gathered their heads and that last passage was ruthless with Marcus Smith hitting the drop-goal to win it,” he said in his BBC Sport column.

“You have to know whether George Ford is going to the next World Cup, but if England are going to play like that with intent then all three fly-halves in Ford and the Smiths – Marcus and Fin – are very capable.”

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Dawson is a big fan of the older Smith but the 51-year-old has just one slight worry which he feels has held him back at international level.

“How Marcus breaks the line is a threat and a worry for the opposition. I just want to see him be a super calm general. If he had that calmness about himself he would be the number one choice by a mile,” the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner said.

“New Zealand’s Dan Carter was probably your man as the ultimate 10 where he can do all the magic with the penalty from the touchline, the odd drop-goal and the dummy to break to the line and feed, but he had that calmness about him that everybody looks to.

“I would just like to see a bit more of that from Marcus because if you add that to his vision and his physical attributes, my goodness we would have a proper superstar in the making.”

Danny Care praise

Dawson also paid tribute to the experienced Danny Care, who earned his 100th cap for England during Saturday’s Six Nations triumph.

Care played a key part in the final attack which won the game for the Red Rose, with his quick delivery allowing the hosts, who finished with 14 men due to Chandler Cunningham-South’s injury, to move deep inside the Irish 22.

The 37-year-old then supplied the bullet-like pass to allow Smith the time and space to kick the drop-goal to snatch the victory.

“And a final mention to Danny Care on becoming the sixth Englishman to win 100 caps for his country. He has shown fantastic longevity and impact on England rugby,” Dawson added.

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