Six nations: Fine Smith’s first England starts at the half of the game against France ‘Not a Gamble’, says Captain Maro Itoje | Rugby Union News

Maro Itoje is firmly by the decision to give fine Smith his first England start in the fly in Saturday’s Six Nation clash against France is not a gamble.

England’s principal coach Steve Bondhwick has chosen his two most prominent playmakers in the same backline for the first time, with Fine Smith, who started his first start in No. 10 Jersey and Marcus Smith, replacing Freddie Steward at full back.

All seven of Fine Smith’s previous test appearance has come from the bench, but ito is convinced that the 22-year-old is ready to take the center of Allianz Stadium.

“There is no gambles here. We are not going to the casino,” the English captain told Sky Sports. “Fine is an amazing player.

“He has done his thing and trained really well. He has been camping for a long time now, so I’m excited to see him go. It’s our job as his teammates and his colleagues to support him.”

England is already playing in the six nations after their opening round 27-22 defeat against Ireland in Dublin.

Orchestration of England’s attack on Antoine Dupont’s very imaginative France on your first international start may be daunting to some, but it is a challenge that itoje thinks Fin Smith was made for.

“He actually has a very mature temper,” added itoje.

“He is a young man, but from his behavior, the way he performs himself, the way he speaks, the way he claims himself he has an air of self -confidence to him that I think is really impressive. ”

Fine Smith: A dream of carrying 10 to England

Prior to his first start for England, the fine-half told fine smith Sky Sports: “I’m excited, it’s every young boy’s dream to wear the 10 shirt to England.

“I grew up watching some of the bigs, Jonny (Wilkinson), FAZ (Owen Farrell), so being told to wear that shirt this weekend was pretty surreal. I’m unclear to walking.

“Monday morning Steve (Boredhwick) told me. His words to me were, ‘You don’t have a very good poker surface’ because I was pretty bad at hiding my feelings after. I was absolutely happy and couldn’t wait to tell my family afterwards.

“He just wants to see me bringing my game, not overthinking it too much. Trust my instincts, go out there, enjoy me, and hopefully the result and performance will take care of themselves.

“It’s great (having Marcus Smith at full back). It will be like having another 10 on the field. Hopefully he will be my eyes and ears for a lot of the play, instruct it, help me see space and Move the ball to the room.

“I’m super created to have a player of his quality out there with me, and hopefully it takes some weight from my shoulders.”

Five England changes ahead of France’s visit

Bondhwick has made a total of five changes, two of them positional, to the fight against France.

Ollie Sleightholme returns to the left wing after Cadan Murley was excluded by a foot injury inflicted in Dublin, which could end his tournament.

Tom Willis starts his first start to No. 8 as part of a rear-range switch that sees Ben Earl moving to the open and Ben Curry drop to a bench that was strengthened by veterans Jamie George and Elliot Daly.

George missed the tournament’s opening game due to a hamstring tribe, but is now ready to make his first performance since he was replaced as captain of Maro Itoje.

England teams to play France

Start XV: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fine Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Gogge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 George Martin, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Tom Willis.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fine Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly.

Antoine Dupont – Rugby’s Patrick Mahomes?

Rugby’s world has long run out of superlatives to describe Antoine Dupont’s mesmeric ability, but with it is super bowl -week over the pond, fresh comparisons have arisen.

England’s attack coach Richard Wigglesworth has compared the French captain with Kansas City Chiefs star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who draw comparisons in their ability to thrive in the most printed situations.

“He is (Dupont) the best. I think it has been recognized by everyone,” Wigglesworth said to Sky Sports. “He is complete and strong in all areas.

“I’ve never seen a guy get out of trouble as good as he does. Someone thinks they’ve got him or the ball bubbling out of his back, it’s almost the place he comes to life. It’s pretty rare.

“He is (like Patrick Mahomes). You think the play is dead and it is not. It’s a good comparison.

“How do you stop him? If coaches had answered it would they make a lot of money they wouldn’t?

“He’s pretty complete. He starts both feet, he’s strong, he’s fast, competitive, administering the game well. There’s not an area where you think he’s missing.”

France brings Jalibert in, Penaud to meet England

France has appointed Matthieu Jalibert on a half as one of two changes for the clash with England.

Jalibert replaces Romain NTamack after the Toulouse playmaker was suspended in three games for a dangerous tackle on Wales’ Ben Thomas in Round One.

NTamack’s ban will be reduced by a game if he ends World Rugby’s course on Tackle Technology, which means he could return to the title exhibition with Ireland on March 8.

Damian Penaud is named on the right wing instead of Theo Attissogbe, which has recovered from a toe injury.

Start XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (C); 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Paul Boudhent, 8 Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickel Guillard, 21 Oscar Iou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilia Gailleton.

Six Nations Fixtures: Round two

Saturday, February 8th

Italy vs wales (14.15)
England vs France (16.45)

Sunday, February 9th

Scotland vs Ireland (15:00)

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