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In expert analysis, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the starting position for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star produced without doubt the most impressive defensive display we have seen by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up through regularly completing his tackles versus an aggressive Fiji side was impressive.

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

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the team tactically and make big calls is something he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half is England's number one playmaker and he should begin versus the All Blacks this weekend.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it similarly as well, because Fin has demonstrated his capability in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy considerations, and part of that decision was to provide continuity and reward his performance during the visit to South America.

However, the national team's performance against Fiji was a significant improvement from the performance versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, therefore we must avoid becoming overly excited about that victory, that could have been by a larger margin considering how off the pace Australia performed.

The Fijian team, on the other hand, proved significantly dangerous and presented a far tougher challenge.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward two years, alongside Ford pushing him but also offering support, I think Fin will be in an excellent position in his career.

Marcus Smith also has to be considered as an option at the right time and versus the right opposition.

He is developing as a player and is starting to find his feet, but he also requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Substitute Influence

The All Blacks brought on Damian McKenzie, who scored the decisive try defeating the Scottish team, demonstrating the significance of having players who can make a real impact from the bench.

That kind of player can be the difference separating victory a World Cup or not.

McKenzie observes the game develop from the bench while considering regarding ways to create a difference upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced substantially since his early professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Smith to be that kind influential performer, including him among substitutes might prove valuable.

However, at the moment I don't think Marcus represents the solution in the number fifteen position, making it a role remaining unclaimed.

New Zealand are likely to punt testing the English backfield, therefore it must remain watertight.

It is a position that needs transforming into a real strength, both defensively and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Right now, I believe Smith is a full-back at the highest level.

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

I want possession in his hands frequently, though I think this should occur among starters, particularly during the last 20 minutes.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously a lot of similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity to make right decisions during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits you can really taught.

I remember when he got the ball during one phase just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

But in those split-seconds he thought they needed to turn Fiji round as we are leading points-wise, so he kicked it to pin the opponents and turn the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking securing titles while claiming World Cups.

All-round Ability

He additionally possesses composure under pressure to organise the players nearby, and the understanding that he doesn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show this at elite level next week, similar to the veteran do, particularly during club level week in and week out.

During the South American tour, the experienced fly-half also stood up in difficult circumstances, previously one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense matches.

I think we have two fly-halves capable of performing the role, but with Fin's defensive work on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round performer.

Defensive System

This also indicates there's no need to adjust the defensive structure when you have an assertive player occupying the playmaker position, instead of an individual being a little more reserved.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning with Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors that go on privately, but whichever way the coaches decide to go, it will give the opponents problems.

This hasn't consistently represented the situation facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on selecting the right player.

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected can put the All Blacks under real pressure.

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks and execute for a potential territorial gains might relieve pressure off the national team.