Marcus Smith 's Six Nations debut ended in disappointment as England fell 20-17 to Scotland on Saturday, but Danny Cipriani wants to see Eddie Jones "double up" and show faith in his new fly-half.
The England coach came in for criticism after taking Smith off for George Ford in the 63rd minute at Murrayfield, despite the fact his No. 10 scored all 17 of England's points and has shone as a late match-winner for Harlequins.
Smith, 22, only debuted for England last year but has been thrust into the spotlight after captain Owen Farrell was ruled out of this year's Six Nations following ankle surgery.
Defeat in Edinburgh has only exacerbated concerns over how to get the most out of this England line-up, and Cipriani believes replicating home comforts is the key to unlocking Smith's potential in all white.
The 16-cap former England international has said the squad's contingent of Quins players should be promoted in order for their fly-half to thrive.
"You need to let Smith run the team and give him the combinations he needs. There are a few things to iron out and they have got to do it quickly," Cipriani wrote in his Daily Mail column.
"Playing Elliot Daly at 13 was a big call and I don’t think it was the right decision. Who do you bring in instead? People talk about Mark Atkinson playing the physical role of Andre Esterhuizen [Smith's centre partner at Quins], but I think the best centre combination would be Henry Slade and Joe Marchant.
"Slade is a world class player with no questions over his position in the team. Marchant played well at 13 during the autumn and knows Smith well through Harlequins. You don’t need to worry so much about little things like the timing of your runs. You want familiar faces around you, so I would have Alex Dombrandt at No. 8 for the same reason. They always find each other at the right time."
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Both of Slade and Marchant started in the Scotland defeat at inside centre and wing, respectively, while Dombrandt was a 63rd-minute substitute in place of Lewis Ludlam, who has since withdrawn due to injury.
It's perhaps unsurprising Daly failed to dazzle in a less familiar centre role, however, particularly considering he was a later call-up to the squad.
Dombrandt has featured among Harlequins' most important players over the past year and was key to last season's Premiership title win, scoring in both their semi-final and final victories.
Ludlam's withdrawal due to a rib cartilage injury could lead to Sam Simmonds starting at flanker against Italy so that Dombrandt can come into the XV, with Courtney Lawes still a doubt due to concussion symptoms.
Bath fly-half Cipriani is perhaps right to assume that involving more Harlequins players would help Smith recapture his best club form on the Test stage, though that would also require a shift in Jones' tactics.
The Premiership titleholders have embraced a much more free and expansive style since club legend Nick Evans took charge of their attack, while England tend to operate in a far more regimented manner.
While the temptation may be to lose faith in the youngster, Cipriani assured now is the time to "double up," keep believing in Smith and "shape the way you [England] play to suit his game."
Many supporters who see Smith as the future fulcrum of the squad would agree deeper investment is required, especially after he was taken off against Scotland despite putting few feet wrong on the day.
To that end, having some familiar faces nearby couldn't hurt as England go in search of a fresh start in Rome, where Smith will hope to clinch his maiden Six Nations win amid a wave of expectation.
