Setting Marcus Smith after end maturity is hard and bad – this is why the magician is always essential for England, writes Chris Foy

When England returns to camp on Wednesday, Steve Barthwick is expected to take Marcus Smith on one side and tell him that he will start back to the back, against Scotland.

Just remove the tension from the situation and remove the backlash against the moved playmaker. Suddenly, I have the impression that he is interpreted as yesterday’s man, on time borrowed until inevitable demotion. It is extremely unfair.

The story has changed quickly. End Smith is in possession of shirt no 10 and cannot move so that all the bouquets of red roses are launched. Hailed as the hero of the last victory over France, Northampton’s half-flies was installed without hesitation as public choices and experts to handle the stick of the conductor for England for the years to come. He is the answer. Discuss.

Meanwhile, just as the holy winner of the match was the figure in lights, poor Marcus was interpreted as a spare part; The man whose face does not correspond now. Social media was flooded with wild verdicts on his efforts while accepting the unknown task of carrying 15 and hiding in the back field. A few shots on the T-shirt, a few drops and it is “thank you for coming and farewell”.

Not so fast. The verdicts are hard and wrong. Marcus Smith played an important role in the shock victory of England in crunch and he does not deserve to be put aside. Only a few months after being the darling of the crowd, it should not be considered a Guy of the fall now.

Many and many times in Twickenham, the French defense has been challenged and raped from the back of daring England. From start to finish, he followed orders by launching counterattacks of deeply, supporting his instinct and looking for space. In a match against a heavier and stronger side, the hosts needed to stretch visitors and disturb them with attacker spontaneity, which is the brand of Magic Marcus. He did what he was chosen to do. He asked questions and threatened.

In difficult conditions, the older Smith made mistakes, while trying to make things happen. But, above all, he did not enter his shell. He does not withdraw into conservatism and tense introspection, even after hitting two kicks with the brand by a distance. He wanted the ball. He was stripped of it once and escaped a pass “ `red zone ” because of the end of his race, but he was trying to go through gaps in front of his arms fighting, rather than simply catching and go into space.

There is a more important problem here. English sport is a landscape or orthodoxy; Lots of molds in which players are supposed to adapt. Anyone who does not do it is seen with suspicion, if his factor X talent is delivered with a risk equation and reward. There is a danger of this scenario with Marcus Smith. As was so obvious in the fall, it can create so many thin, but it is fallible in the process.

The fine acclaim as a reliable facilitator does not have to go hand in hand with Marcus overwhelming as a freezer. Let’s stay with the magician; A more positive point of alliteration.

There is another point here and it is a perception. Anyone who saw the episode the first in the new series of Netflix “ Full Contact ”, on the Six Nations, will make an impression of Marcus Smith which is not the complete story. Do not write it, on the basis of a montage that seeks to highlight the glamor of every day.

His agent talks about the poster that has the “best hair in world rugby” and there is an atrocious quantity of product placement, especially when he collects a new car. But he is passionate about his work and passionate about the game for his country.

It is also good in this area and is only 25 years old, so there is so much more to come. He and the end can work together, as a playmaker’s alliance. For the moment, keep them at 10 and 15. Maybe in time, there could be an option 10 and 12. Whatever ‘There are some, Marcus can dodge the backlash and be part of the plan.

At least spell his name good!

Perhaps they will learn to spell the name of the new No. 10 of England in Twickenham, in time for the next home game on February 22.

When he was announced as a match of the match towards the end of the match last Saturday against France, the feeling of a chaotic and widespread opportunity went from the field to the big screen, which revealed that the winner was `Finn Smith ”. It’s fine. Maybe if those who have fingers on the pimples at the seat need a useful index, think of the little shark that comes out of water, rather than people from a country east of Scandinavia . Do not confuse it with the Scottish playmaker with two n, who is soon on the way.

Hoy the real attraction

Without a doubt, the most emotional moment of the weekend was the view of Sir Chris Hoy outing to deliver the match ball to Murrayfield, wearing a shirt in Scotland and fighting to contain its raw emotions.

The six -time Olympic champion is a national hero – north of the border and southern; To the Scottish and to all of Great Britain – and a moving example of courage and resilience, because it responds to a diagnosis of terminal cancer with dignity and zeal of fundraising. Its appearance has superb the atmosphere, not that it could inspire the team at home, which once again reconciled with annual hopes turning into dust. Meanwhile, the BBC cameras continued to choose the Hollywood Gerard Butler actor in the crowd. Here he discusses. Here he applauded. Here he sings. Once, it was enough of the Spot-the-Celeb routine.

Meanwhile, when the Mic Ref picked up a voice by shouting “F *** ING struck it” while Ireland attacked, congratulations to the commentator Andrew Cotter for responding, Deadpan: “Wise words coming Scottish defense ”. Alright.

There is only one man for the work of wallabies

Ronan O’Gara will find himself in the role of test coach of test somewhere early, to judge by the time spent making known his intentions.

On Sunday, he was in Murrayfield acting as a television expert and explaining that he wanted to take care of a national team, while seriously emphasizing his commitment to La Rochelle. Frankly, the French club could just as easily be a succession planning now, because the Irishman who led them to consecutive triumphs in the Champions Cup will not be there any longer.

Few places on earth can correspond to the striking charm of the old world of this picturesque city by the Atlantic with its beautiful port and its local fervent support – but the sports ambitions of O’Gara are understandable, because someone who has constituted in an excessively coordinated manner his career as a coach. Stays at Racing 92 and the Crusaders, before his golden era with “Stade Rochelais” equipped the old half of the Irish fly for test rugby and it will surely be long before it is hunter , perhaps by Australia. If they make sense, they will target it for the work of Wallabies.

The last word

At this rate, the Lions will have to wear green shirts under this summer, or at least green shorts, such will be the Irish influence on the 2025 crusade.

Andy Farrell was in Edinburgh on Sunday to watch several contenders for the Scottish tower be placed in their place by infinitely superior rivals of Ireland, who took another step towards a “ three peat ” of championship titles.

The back line of Scotland had been announced for their collective references of the lions but, man for humans, they were clinically exposed by drawn opponents. Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe were one of those who made major statements, with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne – Once again – at the front, while Caelan Doris looks like a captain of Lions waiting .

Meanwhile, Welsh Red will dominate the tour of the tour but not the Squad Tour – and certainly not the XV test. The country with such a proud legacy of lions could be practically absent from the trip this year, with perhaps Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams have currently qualified as worthy of a seat on the plane.