#HALFBACKS:
- 10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
- 9. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
Woodward wrote: “I’ve been beating the Smith drum for a long time and would have had him starting for England games long before this autumn.
“He’s an exceptional, potentially once-in-a-generation talent capable of transforming the way England attack and bringing all of their enormous firepower to bear. In that respect he reminds me of Jason Robinson.
“He can be a game-changer for England, just as Jason’s incredible attacking threat added so much when he came over from rugby league, winning 51 caps between 2001 and 2007.
“As a coach you say a prayer of thanks when such a talent comes along, they can lift the mood and ambition of an entire squad. Smith has that ability.
“England’s opponents will be hoping they don’t find a way of fully tapping into his talent and energy.