Marcus Smith will have a big chance to state his World Cup selection case when starting at fly-half in Saturday’s warm-up Test against Wales in Cardiff.
The 24-year-old playmaker will line up alongside Harlequins team-mate Danny Care in England’s half-backs for the Principality Stadium encounter against Warren Gatland’s men.
Smith’s selection this weekend should increase his chances of making head coach Steve Borthwick’s final 33-man World Cup squad, to be named on Monday.
The livewire out-half struggled in England’s 53-10 Six Nations home hammering by France, but then so did every man in white that day.
Ellis Genge will captain England from the front row, with former London Irish flanker Tom Pearson his first cap at openside.
Guy Porter and Harlequins’ Stade Francais-bound Joe Marchant form a new centre pairing, while Saracens forwards Theo Dann and Tom Willis can make their Test debuts off the bench.
Smith is thought to have trained in fine style across the summer preparations with England, and could now very well be selected alongside George Ford and captain Owen Farrell as one of three fly-halves to go to France.
Smith’s Quins team-mate Care will make his first England appearance since the summer 2022 tour of Australia, and the evergreen 36-year-old is now on the cusp of World Cup selection himself.
Care expects Smith to shine in Cardiff this weekend, on England’s last chance to impress before World Cup selection.
“All 10s see the game differently, they are the quarterback,” said Care. “We have three great 10s in Marcus, George Ford and Owen Farrell, it’s a great position to be in and it will be a good (selection) fight.”
England are ranked as low as sixth in the world and have been overlooked when it comes to regular World Cup tips, but Care insists Borthwick’s men can spring a few surprises once the France showdown comes around.
“I think England can shock a few people at this World Cup, and that’s certainly what we’re aiming to do,” said Care.
“And that process and aim will definitely start to step up through the notches now.”
Care can only count one World Cup appearance on his glittering CV which comprises 87 caps since his England debut in 2008.
The Leeds native has feared his England career to have been over on a number of occasions, but now sits alongside Ben Youngs and Jack Van Poortvliet as the No 9s in the frame to go to France.
Back in the England ranks after a year’s hiatus, Care believes England are now better equipped under Borthwick for what lies ahead.
“Even from Australia, I feel like the environment feels better. I think the boys feel closer,” said Care. “On the field, there's a little bit more clarity on what we're trying to do.
“Everyone was criticising in the Six Nations because it looked like it wasn't joined up. But with the time Steve had, it was very hard to do that.
“Whereas now, some of the stuff in training has been brilliant. Attack, defence and the whole thing is far more aligned now. And that's time. And it's hard training, but detail.
“I don’t want to big us up too much because you kind of want to go under the radar. But we’re looking forward to these games to try to show everyone what we can do, and show ourselves too, which is another thing, that this team is going to be good.”
England XV to face Wales: F Steward (Leicester); M Malins (Bristol), J Marchant (Stade Francais), G Porter (Leicester), J Cokanasiga (Bath); M Smith, D Care (both Harlequins); E Genge (Bristol, capt), J Blamire (Newcastle), W Stuart (Bath), D Ribbans (Toulon), G Martin (Leicester), L Ludlam, T Pearson (both Northampton), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).
Replacements: T Dann (Saracens), B Rodd (Sale), K Sinckler (Bristol), J Hill (Sale), T Willis (Saracens), J Van Poortvliet (Leicester), G Ford (Sale), H Slade (Exeter).
