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<\/p>\nMarcus Smith will start at full-back for England\u2019s quarter-final against Fiji <\/p>\n
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Joe Marler has backed Harlequins teammate Marcus Smith to \u201cthrive\u201d in England \u2019s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Fiji.<\/p>\n
Smith has been handed the biggest opportunity of his young career in Marseille, given only a second international start at full-back with Steve Borthwick making a significant selection call.<\/p>\n
Freddie Steward had started 29 of England\u2019s last 30 tests at the position, but Smith takes over after a series of impressive cameos at this tournament.<\/p>\n
Marler has watched Smith\u2019s development closely with both Harelquins in England, with the teenage star guiding his club to Premiership triumph in 2021. <\/p>\n
The prop believes that there has always been something different about the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe\u2019s a big match player,\u201d Marler replied when asked about Smith\u2019s temperament. \u201cI\u2019m really happy for him to get his opportunity to start again in a World Cup. He\u2019ll thrive. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s shown it off the bench, in the moments we\u2019ve needed him and I hope he can do that from the start. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had that early on – even to the point where I turn around and say, \u2018I\u2019m going to have to say something to this guy, he\u2019s gobbing off at me\u2019. I\u2019ve been here 10 years, and he\u2019s gobbing off at me as if \u2018you\u2019ve gotta here, you\u2019ve gotta get there,\u2019 driving standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you realise he knows what he\u2019s talking about and the fact he had that confidence as a 17 or 18 year old, that desire to be the best and be part of the team. He\u2019s done it consistently at club level, it\u2019s about now doing it consistently at international level and what better place to do that than starting in the quarter-final.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s inclusion comes not only at the expense of Steward, but also George Ford, with Owen Farrell moving to fly half and the Sale Sharks playmaker to the bench.<\/p>\n
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Joe Marler and Marcus Smith are Harlequins teammates <\/p>\n
Smith and Farrell also started together at ten and 15 in the thrashing of Chile, overcoming a clunky start to produce a strong attacking performance.<\/p>\n
Marler sees similarities in the pair\u2019s mentality and believes that it will stand England in good stead at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took a little while [for Smith to earn my respect],\u201d Marler explained. \u201cI thought he was a jumped up, entitled, little, private school kid and then when you realise how good he is at rugby and why he\u2019s doing what he\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe earned the respect of the rest of the group because they know how good he is, and we know how good he is as a player. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis drive is infectious around the group and that\u2019s what stands out for me. It\u2019s in a similar way to Owen – their drives to be the best raise the standards for the group or else you\u2019ll get left behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have different attributes but the underlying passion and desire to a) be the best themselves and b) drive the teams to be the best is what they both want.\u201d<\/p>\n