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In expert analysis, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the first-choice spot for the national team's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

Fin Smith produced arguably the most impressive defensive performance observed from an England playmaker in several years.

His courageous approach through regularly completing his tackles against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management proved exceptional - he demonstrated a perfect blend of skill and control, while executing several crucial choices when things were not going to plan in the first half.

Tackling Prowess Coupled with Tactical Leadership

His ability to settle the team strategically and make big calls represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

From my perspective, the young fly-half represents England's primary fly-half and he should begin against the All Blacks next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly too, since Smith has proven he can perform during important international games.

Team Selection and Competition

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia due to captaincy reasons, and part of that decision was to provide continuity and reward his form from the tour of Argentina.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were defeated in Italy last weekend, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, that could have been more comprehensive considering how off the pace the Australians performed.

Fiji, by contrast, were much more dangerous and presented a far tougher test.

Future Prospects

The young playmaker is still only 23 - looking ahead 24 months, alongside Ford pushing him while providing support, I believe Smith will find himself in an excellent position in his career.

Marcus Smith must also be considered as an option when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing as a player while beginning to establish himself, though he needs the freedom to show his distinctive qualities.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced their impact player, who scored the match-winning try to beat Scotland, demonstrating the importance of possessing players who can make a real impact from the bench.

That kind of presence can be the deciding factor between winning a World Cup or not.

The All Blacks substitute watches the game unfold while substituted and thinks regarding ways he can make an impact when he comes on.

His choices and mistake frequency have improved substantially from his initial professional days.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus to be such type of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, currently I believe he represents the solution at full-back, making it a position remaining up for grabs.

New Zealand will kick to challenge the English backfield, therefore it must remain impenetrable.

This role requiring to become a real strength, in defense and in terms of the counter-attack danger.

Right now, I believe Smith functions as full-back in top-tier rugby.

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

I want possession in his hands as much as possible, but I believe this should occur in the front line, especially during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

There are obviously a lot of parallels between Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing right choices during tense moments - his instincts represent traits you can really coach.

I recall when he got possession at one stage just inside his territory and it looked that opportunity existed should they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he thought the team required to turn Fiji round as we are up on the scoreboard, so he kicked to pressure them back and turn the screw.

That's the sort of playmaking securing titles while claiming World Cups.

Complete Package

He also has composure under pressure to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he mustn't constantly serve as primary option.

I want to see him given the opportunity to show that at the highest standards soon, just as we have seen George Ford accomplish, particularly during club level week in consistently.

During the South American tour, Ford similarly excelled in difficult circumstances, where historically you could argue there have been times he has not quite done so during extremely tense matches.

I believe England possesses playmaking options who can do the job, though Smith's defensive work on top of everything else, it makes him the more complete versatile player.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure while fielding an assertive player occupying the playmaker channel, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

One might make a strong case favoring Ford beginning and Fin Smith coming off substitution.

There are so many factors occurring behind closed doors, however the management decide to go, it will give New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the situation facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half they choose can put New Zealand under real pressure.

Smith's capacity to pick optimal kicks and execute for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress off England.