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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the starting position for the national team's number ten against the All Blacks this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the most impressive defensive display we have seen from an England fly-half in several years.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits versus an aggressive Fijian team was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and control, while executing some strong choices when things were not going to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

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

From my perspective, Fin Smith represents England's primary fly-half and deserves to start versus New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick views it that way too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, and part of that decision was to provide consistency and reward his performance from the tour of Argentina.

But England's showing against Fiji was a significant step up from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get too carried away with that win, that could have been more comprehensive given how off the pace Australia performed.

Fiji, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous while offering a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

Fin Smith remains just twenty-three - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I think Fin will be in an excellent position as a player.

The Harlequins star must also be considered as a possibility when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career while beginning to establish himself, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his unique qualities.

Substitute Influence

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who registered the match-winning score defeating Scotland, and that shows the importance of having individuals who can make a real impact from the bench.

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

The All Blacks substitute watches the match unfold while substituted and thinks about how to create an impact when he comes on.

His choices and mistake frequency have improved significantly from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith to be that kind of impactful player, then having him in the backfield might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a role that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing England's backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

It is a position that needs transforming into a real strength, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Currently, I believe Marcus functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I prefer possession in his hands as much as possible, but I believe this should occur in the front line, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously numerous parallels between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing right decisions under pressure - his natural reactions represent traits you can really taught.

I recall as he received the ball at one stage just inside his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying the screw.

This represents the type of playmaking that wins titles while claiming global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure during intensity directing the players around him, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him given the opportunity demonstrating this at elite level next week, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up during challenging circumstances, previously you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so during extremely tense matches.

I think we have playmaking options who can do the role, but with Fin's defensive work combined with everything else, it makes him the more complete all-round player.

Defensive System

It also means there's no need to modify the defensive structure when you have someone aggressive in the fly-half position, rather than someone who is somewhat reserved.

One might present compelling arguments favoring Ford beginning with Smith entering from substitution.

Numerous considerations occurring privately, however the management decide to go, it will give New Zealand difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the narrative against the All Blacks, where the focus was simply on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability to pick optimal kicks and execute for a potential 50-20 can take all the stress off England.