Matt Dawson tells Steve Borthwick to drop 102-cap England star

Sunday, 09 November 2025 at 19:02

byRugby Rucker

Ben Spencer is waiting in the wings, offering sharper game management, quicker ruck service, and improved box-kicking. He could replace Mitchell to help stabilize the scrum-half role against New Zealand.

Fin Smith produced a standout performance as England ran in four second-half tries to overcome a physical Fiji side in their second Autumn Nations clash at Allianz Stadium.

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The 35–12 victory made it nine wins in a row for Steve Borthwick’s side and followed up last weekend’s triumph over Australia — but this time, it was all about the young fly-half.

2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson has urged Borthwick to make a bold call: ditch George Ford and stick with Fin Smith.

“Fin Smith delivered arguably the best defensive display we’ve seen from an England fly-half in years,” Dawson wrote in his column for BBC.

“How he fronted up and consistently made his tackles against such a physical Fiji outfit was outstanding. His game management was immense — he showed a great balance of finesse and control, and made smart calls even when things weren’t going to plan early on.”

Dawson went further, saying Smith’s leadership qualities now set him apart.

“His ability to calm the team and make big decisions under pressure is something he’s nailed. In my opinion, Fin Smith is England’s number one fly-half — and he should start against New Zealand next week.”

Ford started against Australia last Saturday, with Borthwick citing leadership and continuity from the Argentina tour. But Dawson believes Smith’s showing against Fiji represents a major step forward.

“England’s performance was a big upgrade from last week. Fin’s shown he can handle big Test matches — and I think Borthwick knows it too.”

Three England Starters Who Flopped vs Fiji

Fraser Dingwall

Telegraph 5, Evening Standard 6, Planet Rugby 5, Mail Online 5.5

Dingwall struggled to link effectively with his Saints half-backs, with attacks frequently breaking down around the inside centre channel. He showed flashes of skill but often seemed out of sync with the rest of the backline.

Quotes:

Mail Online: "Brushed aside by Josua Tuisova and outplayed by his opposite number who was outstanding, particularly before half time. Never stopped tackling though."

Planet Rugby: "Known as a glue player and loved by team-mates for his ability to organise in both attack and defence, but he’s still got to make his tackles, and Dingwall slipped off a couple."

Telegraph: "Strangely did not seem to be on the same wavelength as his Saints half-backs as attacks broke down around the inside centre channel.

Evening Standard: "Nearly got himself on the scoresheet before Itoje settled the game a minute later."

Potential Change for Next Game: Henry Arundell could come in, with Freddie Freeman moving to 13 and Ollie Lawrence to 12, offering more pace, creativity, and attacking threat. Arundell’s two-try display off the bench against Fiji makes him a strong candidate.

Guy Pepper

Rugby Pass 6.5, RUCK 6, Telegraph 6, Evening Standard 5, Mail Online 5.5

Pepper’s contribution was largely defensive, highlighted by a crunching tackle on Salesi Rayasi, though he did knock-on in the same play. Limited involvement at the breakdown restricted his impact.

Quotes

Rugby Pass: "Put an abrupt end to a promising Fijian attack with a crunching shot on Salesi Rayasi on 20 minutes, albeit he did knock-on in the tackle, and his contribution was largely reserved to the defensive side of the game during his 53-minute spell."

Evening Standard: "Lots of competition at flanker, but was not able to make much of an impression."

RUCK: "Not much opportunity to get involved at the breakdown, so his effectiveness was limited. Came off after 53 minutes following a rather underwhelming showing."

Mail Online: "Unlucky to knock on in the tackle with one big hit. Didn’t go the distance as he did against Australia and was replaced by Henry Pollock."

Telegraph: "Put in one of England’s very few monster tackles on Rayasi but England’s pack was generally on the back foot at the breakdown."

Potential Change for Next Game: Tom Curry could replace him, bringing more dynamism and experience to the back row. Curry’s presence would help reinforce England’s breakdown work and inject energy in attack.

Alex Mitchell

RUCK 5.5, Rugby Pass 6.5, Telegraph 5, Evening Standard 5

Mitchell showed urgency and quick service but was vulnerable under pressure, being stripped by Josua Tuisova and misjudging key passes.

RUCK: "Showed plenty of urgency and delivered quick service, with some strong box kicking. However, he was easily stripped by Josua Tuisova and misjudged a pass out wide. His position could now be under threat, with Ben Spencer waiting in the wings.."

Evening Standard: "Not his best performance. His quick hands kept England moving with pace early on, but he struggled in the tackle."

Rugby Pass: "Had a half-break down the blindside in Fiji’s 22, but popped it to no one when expecting Freeman to be on his shoulder. Embodied how things weren’t quite clicking for England. Left with too much to defend on the blindside as Fiji scored their third try. Solid, without setting the game alight."

Telegraph: "A messy performance for the most part but generally he was dealing with messy ball. England seemed more in control with Spencer on the field."

Potential Change for Next Game: