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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten versus New Zealand this weekend.

Fin Smith delivered arguably the most impressive defensive display we have seen from an England fly-half for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing defensive hits versus an aggressive Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His tactical control proved exceptional - he demonstrated an excellent balance of skill and composure, and made some strong decisions when things didn't proceed as expected in the first half.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the squad tactically and make important decisions is something he has really nailed.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one playmaker and he should start against New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager the England coach views it similarly too, because Fin has demonstrated he can perform during important Test matches.

Squad Decisions and Competition

The experienced fly-half started last Saturday versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, and part of that choice aimed at ensuring consistency and reward his performance during the visit of Argentina.

However, the national team's showing against Fiji represented a marked improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies lost in Italy on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited with that win, which should have been more comprehensive given how off the pace the Australians performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, were much more dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford pushing him while providing support, I believe Fin will be in a very strong place as a player.

Marcus Smith must also be regarded as a possibility when appropriate and against suitable opponents.

He's progressing in his career and is starting to establish himself, though he needs the freedom to show his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning score to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing individuals capable of creating genuine influence from the bench.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the match develop from the bench and thinks regarding ways he can make an impact upon entering.

His choices and mistake frequency have enhanced substantially since his early career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith to be such type of impactful player, including him among substitutes might prove valuable.

However, at the moment I don't think he is the answer in the number fifteen position, so that is a position remaining up for grabs.

The All Blacks will kick testing the English defensive line, therefore it must to be watertight.

This role that needs transforming into a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack threat.

Right now, I believe Marcus functions as full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to see the benefit fielding him there.

I prefer possession under his control as much as possible, though I think this should occur in the front line, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

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

Smith possesses the capacity to make the correct choices under pressure - his natural reactions are not something you can really taught.

I remember as he received possession at one stage within his own half and it looked that opportunity existed should they spread play.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required to turn the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, therefore he punted it to pin them back applying pressure.

This represents the type of fly-half play that wins titles while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure to organise teammates nearby, while recognizing that he doesn't constantly serve to be the first option.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance demonstrating this at elite level next week, just as we have seen George Ford do, particularly during club level repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up in difficult situations, previously you could argue occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses playmaking options who can do the job, but with Fin's defensive work combined with everything else, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify your defensive system when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, instead of someone who is a little more passive.

You could also make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith coming off the bench.

There are so many considerations occurring privately, however the management choose to proceed, this will present the opponents difficulties.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, where the focus concentrated solely on selecting the optimal individual.

This time, either playmaker selected will pressure the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute enabling possible territorial gains might relieve all the stress off England.