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If you were to ask English rugby fans a simple question of ‘what’s Marcus Smith done during this Six Nations campaign?’, they would refer back to his lung bursting run vs Ireland at Allianz Twickenham, fresh off the bench, but being hunted down and obliterated by Stuart McCloskey. A far cry and a huge contrast from his match winning drop goal vs Ireland 2 years prior. Few players in English rugby divide opinion quite like Marcus Smith. Electric with ball in hand, capable of moments of genius, yet still searching for complete authority at Test level, Smith’s journey under Steve Borthwick has been anything but straightforward. Despite his talent, he has struggled to cement himself as a consistent starter during Borthwick’s tenure. Even after an incredible amount of changes this week for England’s trip to Rome.
Here are a few key reasons why and what the future might hold.
England are not short of options at No. 10. The emergence of players such as Fin Smith, who’s back into the starting 15 vs Italy, alongside the experience of George Ford, have created genuine selection headaches. Borthwick has often prioritised tactical control and defensive solidity, and at times that has meant selecting a fly-half perceived to offer steadier game management. However, against Scotland and Ireland, their tactics were skewered across Europe. In such a tightly contested position, even a slight dip in form or shift in tactical approach can result in Marcus Smith moving to the bench or out of the squad.
Borthwick’s England have often emphasised structure, territorial kicking and defensive discipline. While Marcus Smith thrives in broken field situations and high tempo attacking rugby, Test matches, particularly in the Six Nations, are frequently arm wrestling decided by control rather than flair. In certain fixtures, the coaching staff have opted for a more conservative approach, favouring players seen as better suited to executing that blueprint from the start.
One of the biggest challenges for Smith has been positional clarity. Rather than being installed as England’s undisputed fly-half, he has also been deployed at full-back. While his skill set allows for versatility, this shifting role has arguably disrupted his development at international level. Great Test 10s tend to grow into the shirt with sustained exposure; Smith, by contrast, has not always had that uninterrupted backing in one position.
Form at domestic level inevitably shapes international selection. This season at Harlequins, Smith has endured inconsistency in a campaign that has been challenging for the club. Questions around defensive robustness and game control have surfaced, and while flashes of brilliance remain, the week-to-week authority that defines elite international fly-halves has not always been evident.
International rugby is unforgiving. Coaches often lean toward players who minimise risk in high-pressure environments. Smith’s instinct is to attack the line, to play flat, to take defenders on, traits that can unlock defences but also carry risk. At times, England’s management have appeared to prefer a steadier hand from the start, using Smith instead as an impact option capable of injecting tempo later in matches. Furthermore, you look to understand if this is the way England are going until the next World Cup, will we even see Marcus Smith start at fly half before the 2027 World Cup?
What keeps Marcus Smith firmly in England’s long-term plans is his rare X-factor. His acceleration off the mark, razor-sharp footwork and vision to exploit half-gaps make him one of the most naturally gifted playmakers in the northern hemisphere. He can change a game in a single phase, committing defenders and creating space where none appears to exist. Few English backs possess his ability to turn structure into spontaneity.
Yet talent alone does not guarantee ownership of the No. 10 shirt. For Smith, the next phase of his career may hinge on clarity. If England commit to him as their long-term fly-half and build a system that maximises his attacking instincts while refining his game management, he could evolve into the defining playmaker of the next World Cup cycle. If not, if he continues to oscillate between fly-half and full-back, between starter and finisher, his international career may remain a story of brilliance in bursts rather than sustained control. The best is yet to come for Marcus Smith, and I refuse to believe he has peaked at 27 years old.
Despite his recent form and lack of game time, Marcus Smith remains one of England’s most exciting and marketable talents. The question is not whether he is good enough, but whether the team will fully understand how to unlock everything he offers.