O n the evidence of Friday night at Franklin’s Gardens, England are fortunate to be blessed with two fly halves who can ease any unnecessary aches over the long-term absence of Owen Farrell and the potential loss of George Ford for the forthcoming autumn series of internationals. It was a case of needs must for Harlequins as their playmaker, Marcus Smith, switched to full back due to an overload of injuries in the back three. What was perceived as a good old-fashioned England shoot-out between Marcus and Fin Smith as opposing No 10s didn’t occur.
Instead Smith M found himself — numerically at least — head to head with the England full back, George Furbank. It was Smith’s fourth professional start as a full back; his first for club, the other three coming for country..
