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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has demonstrated that he merits the first-choice spot for the national team's fly-half against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Northampton Saints star produced arguably the best defensive performance we have seen from an England playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles against a physical Fiji side stood out remarkably.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, and made some strong choices when things didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to settle the squad tactically while making big calls is something he has really nailed.

In my opinion, the young fly-half is England's number one playmaker and deserves to begin versus New Zealand this weekend.

I believe the manager Steve Borthwick views it similarly too, since Smith has proven he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend versus the Wallabies for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice aimed at ensuring continuity while acknowledging his performance during the visit to South America.

However, the national team's showing versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant improvement compared to the display against Australia.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should not get overly excited with that win, that could have been by a larger margin considering how below par Australia were.

Fiji, on the other hand, were much more threatening while offering a much more difficult challenge.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - projecting forward 24 months, with Ford pushing him but also offering support, I believe Smith will find himself in a very strong position in his career.

The Harlequins star also has to be considered as a possibility at the right time and versus suitable opponents.

He is developing as a player while beginning to establish himself, though he needs the freedom to show his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

The All Blacks brought on their impact player, who scored the match-winning score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the significance of possessing individuals capable of creating a real impact from the bench.

Such type of player might represent the deciding factor between winning the global tournament from failure.

The All Blacks substitute observes the game develop from the bench while considering about how to create an impact upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have enhanced substantially from his initial career.

Positional Debate

If we can get Smith as that kind influential performer, then having him in the backfield might prove valuable.

Nonetheless, at the moment I believe Marcus represents the solution at full-back, so that is a position that is still unclaimed.

New Zealand will kick testing England's backfield, therefore it must remain watertight.

This role that needs to become a real strength, in defense while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Currently, I don't think Marcus is a full-back in top-tier rugby.

I find it difficult to identify the advantage fielding him in that position.

I want possession under his control as much as possible, but I believe this should occur among starters, particularly during the last quarter.

Innate Qualities

There are obviously a lot of parallels comparing Ford with Smith.

Fin has the ability executing right decisions under pressure - his instincts are not something you can really coach.

I recall when he got the ball at one stage just inside his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he thought the team required reversing the opposition as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure the opponents applying the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing titles and wins global tournaments.

All-round Ability

He also has that calmness during intensity to organise teammates around him, and the understanding that he mustn't always need as primary receiver.

I hope to witness him receiving the chance to show that at the highest level next week, similar to George Ford do, especially at club level week in and week out.

During the South American tour, Ford also stood up in difficult circumstances, previously one might suggest occasions existed where he didn't fully done so in the very highest-pressure games.

I think England possesses playmaking options who can do the job, but with Fin's defence combined with additional qualities, establishes him as the better-rounded versatile player.

Defensive System

This also indicates you don't have to adjust your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, instead of an individual being somewhat reserved.

You could also make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith entering from substitution.

Numerous factors that go on behind closed doors, however the coaches decide to go, this will present the opponents difficulties.

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

On this occasion, whichever fly-half selected will pressure New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible territorial gains might relieve pressure off the national team.