England fly-half Marcus Smith says being part of a successful tour of New Zealand would be “a dream come true” – even if Fin Smith starts at No.10 – as he prepares for the first of two tests against the All Blacks.
The two Smiths are working together in the England camp, with the opening Test in Dunedin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports from 7.30amwhile competing for the opening jersey at the same time.
However, Marcus Smith doesn’t see that there is any competition between the two, but rather that they make sure to “sing the same song” in order to guide the team around the park and secure the “dream” victory.
Marcus Smith will start for the team at number 10 on Saturday, with Fin Smith an option off the bench.
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Marcus Smith hopes England can create special memories ahead of their crucial first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin
“Personally, I don’t see it as a clash between me and Fin. I’m really grateful to be a part of this tour,” said Marcus Smith. Sky Sports.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Fin over the last three or four weeks. He’s obviously had a great year with Northampton and England and I’ve enjoyed asking him different questions.
“For me to be part of a tour where we win in New Zealand would be a dream come true and I know Fin feels the same way.
“As long as, at 10 years old, Fin and I are singing the same song, delivering the messages that we think will help the team score tries and get points, then we’re both happy.”
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Highlights of former head coach Eddie Jones’ eight-try win over Japan in Tokyo
Marcus Smith has been in the England squad since 2021, making 31 appearances, and has had the luxury of learning from a number of very experienced players, including England’s record points scorer Owen Farrell.
He is now open, ready and willing to help Fin Smith in any way he can as his journey to England gets underway.
“I’m getting a bit older, I’m very lucky to have been part of this England team for a while now,” he added.
“I was an apprentice in that environment, learning from guys like Owen Farrell, George Ford, Danny Cipriani.
“Many experiences have made me the person and player I am today.
“If Fin asks me questions, I’m always very open and I try to be as open as possible.”
Smith: Our offense is getting better every game
England go into this two-match series against the All Blacks on the back of a fine performance against France in the Six Nations, a thumping win over Ireland and a victory over Wales. They then beat Japan 52-17 in Tokyo last month.
These matches showed marked improvements in the way England played, with attack being a major concern for supporters as tries were few and far between.
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For Marcus Smith, England’s “aggressive” attacking mindset is something that has resonated with the squad in recent weeks and they are ready to show they can deliver it against one of the best teams in the world on Saturday.
“I think we’re developing a really strong team. I think our defense has really improved over the last year and a half and I feel like our mindset from an offensive standpoint has improved as well,” he said.
“I think we got a glimpse of it last time (in the win over Japan) and in the games against Ireland, France and Wales.
“In the last three games of the Six Nations we made a conscious effort to be aggressive, on both sides of the ball, and since I came back into camp for this summer tour I think that was the mindset – around creating excitement.
“I think that really resonated with this group. And we had a really good game against a really good Japanese team last week and I think we implemented some of those things.
“We obviously know playing the All Blacks this weekend, here and on home soil, is going to be a tough test, but it’s a test we’re really excited about, and hopefully we can show our best against the best of them as well.”
England made just two changes to the team that faced Japan, with Joe Marler and Will Stuart moved to the front row, replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole.
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