Wales legend Dan Biggar has shared his opinion on who should don the number 10 jersey for England in their upcoming mid-year Tests against the All Blacks.
The Red Rose will first face Japan in Tokyo before traveling to New Zealand for a two-Test series against the All Blacks. The matches are set for July 6 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin and a week later at Eden Park in Auckland.
“Does he throw Fin Smith in at the deep end in a Test series in New Zealand? Or does he go for someone like Marcus, who’s got a little bit more experience at that level and hope that they complement each other really well,” the former Wales star told The Rugby Pod.
“For me, at this moment in time, they’re both playing in successful club teams, they’re both so confident, I don’t think it matters who plays 10 for England at the minute.
“They complement each other really well, a bit like Owen and George did back in their prime.
“If it was up to me, I would probably stick with Fin at the minute. I would give him an opportunity to go and showcase his talent against the best in the world in one of the most difficult places to go and win rugby matches.
“With Marcus’ ability to come off the bench, read the game, to challenge defences when they’re a little more tired, as well as his ability to cover full-back as well.”
He added: “If you look at both the pros and cons for Marcus and Fin, Fin’s ability to manage a game is probably slightly ahead of Marcus’ in how structured Northampton play,
“He’s getting more practice at being in those positions, in those tight games where it’s perhaps not so harum-scarum and as loose as when Quins play.
“For me, Fin’s ability to bring people into play is a huge, huge part. You look at Owen and George in the way that England have played over the last 10 years, it’s not been so much their individual ability but their ability to bring people into play.
“Your Vunipolas, your Manu Tuilagis, get the best of those guys, and that’s what Fin’s doing at the minute.
“For me, Fin’s game-management is probably slightly ahead of Marcus’ at this moment, even though Marcus has dramatically improved in that area.”
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2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD, ACCORDING TO THE BOOKIES
Andy Farrell faces numerous challenging decisions leading up to finalising his Lions squad, yet bookmakers appear confident in predicting the players destined for Australia next summer.
We found it intriguing to project a smaller squad based on the favoured contenders according to bookmakers’ odds as of April19, 2024.
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Mack Hansen (Ireland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- George Ford (England) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 8/11