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According to rugby specialists, Fin Smith has shown why he deserves the starting position for the national team's number ten versus New Zealand on Saturday.

Fin Smith produced arguably the most impressive defensive display observed by an English playmaker for quite some time.

How he fronted up by consistently making his tackles versus a physical Fiji side was impressive.

His tactical control was also immense - he demonstrated a perfect blend of finesse and composure, and made several crucial decisions during moments didn't proceed to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence and Strategic Leadership

His ability to settle the squad tactically while making important decisions represents an aspect he has truly nailed.

In my opinion, Fin Smith represents England's primary playmaker and deserves to start versus the All Blacks next week.

I believe head coach Steve Borthwick sees it similarly too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability in big international games.

Team Selection and Competition

The experienced fly-half started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership reasons, with some aspect of that choice was to provide consistency and reward his performance during the visit to South America.

But England's performance versus the Pacific Islanders was a significant improvement compared to the display versus the Wallabies.

Australia were defeated on Italian soil on Saturday, so we should avoid becoming overly excited with that win, which should have been more comprehensive considering how below par the Australians were.

The Fijian team, by contrast, proved significantly dangerous while offering a far tougher test.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just 23 - projecting forward two years, alongside Ford challenging him but also offering backup, I believe Fin will be in an excellent position in his career.

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

He's progressing in his career while beginning to find his feet, though he requires liberty to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand introduced Damian McKenzie, who scored the match-winning score to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of having players who can make a real impact from the bench.

That kind of player might represent the difference separating victory a World Cup from failure.

McKenzie watches the game develop while substituted and thinks about how to create an impact upon entering.

His choices and error rate have improved substantially since his early career.

Positional Debate

Should we develop Marcus as that kind of impactful player, then having him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

However, currently I don't think Marcus is the answer at full-back, so that is a position that is still unclaimed.

The All Blacks will kick to challenge the English defensive line, so it has to be impenetrable.

This role requiring transforming into a real strength, both defensively while regarding offensive transitions danger.

Right now, I believe Smith functions as full-back at the highest level.

I struggle to identify the advantage of playing him there.

I prefer possession in his hands as much as possible, though I think that should be in the front line, especially in the final 20 minutes.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous parallels comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Smith possesses the capacity executing right choices during tense moments - his natural reactions are not something you can really coach.

I recall as he received possession at one stage within his own half appearing like it could be on if they swung it wide.

However during these split-seconds he calculated the team required reversing Fiji round since England were up on the scoreboard, so he kicked it to pin them back applying the screw.

That's the sort of fly-half play securing titles while claiming global tournaments.

Complete Package

He also has that calmness under pressure to organise the players around him, while recognizing that he doesn't always need as primary option.

I want to see him receiving the chance to show this at elite level next week, just as we have seen George Ford do, especially at domestic matches repeatedly and week out.

In Argentina, Ford similarly excelled during challenging situations, previously you could argue occasions existed where he didn't fully done so during extremely tense games.

I believe England possesses playmaking options who can do the job, though Smith's defensive work combined with everything else, establishes him as the better-rounded all-round performer.

Defensive System

It also means you don't have to modify the defensive structure when you have an assertive player in the fly-half channel, rather than an individual being a little more passive.

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

There are so many considerations occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, this will present the opponents difficulties.

That has not always been the narrative against the All Blacks, when attention concentrated solely on picking the optimal individual.

This time, whichever fly-half selected will pressure the All Blacks significantly.

Smith's capacity selecting optimal kicks while delivering enabling possible 50-20 can take pressure off the national team.