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According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has demonstrated why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the best defensive display observed by an English playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he showed a perfect blend of skill and control, and made several crucial choices when things didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Command

His ability to settle the squad tactically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has truly mastered.

In my opinion, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and deserves to start against the All Blacks next week.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half began the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership reasons, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency while acknowledging his form during the visit to South America.

But England's showing versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, therefore we must not get overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par Australia were.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more threatening while offering a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker is still only twenty-three - looking ahead two years, with Ford challenging him but also offering support, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent place in his career.

Marcus Smith must also be considered as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing in his career and is starting to find his feet, though he needs the freedom to show his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the significance of possessing players capable of creating a real impact from the bench.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the game unfold from the bench and thinks about how he can make an impact when he comes on.

His choices and error rate have enhanced significantly from his initial professional days.

Role Discussion

If we can get Smith as such type influential performer, including him among substitutes could be valuable.

Nonetheless, at the moment I don't think he represents the solution at full-back, so that is a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick to challenge England's defensive line, therefore it must remain watertight.

It is a position that needs to become a genuine asset, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I struggle to see the benefit fielding him there.

I want the ball in his hands as much as possible, but I believe that should be among starters, particularly in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist a lot of similarities between Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the capacity to make the correct decisions during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really taught.

I remember when he got the ball during one phase within his own half appearing like it could be should they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked to pressure the opponents and turn the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play securing championships and wins World Cups.

Complete Package

He also has composure during intensity directing teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him given the chance demonstrating this at elite standards soon, just as we have seen the veteran do, particularly during domestic matches week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, previously you could argue occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense matches.

I believe England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, though Smith's defence combined with additional qualities, it makes him the more complete versatile player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, rather than someone who is a little more passive.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

Numerous considerations occurring privately, but whichever way the management choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation against the All Blacks, where the focus concentrated solely on picking the right player.

This time, whichever fly-half selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 might relieve all the stress off England.