Anthony Watson on Farrell, Smith and 'freedom to roam'
Anthony Watson is backing Marcus Smith to ignite Twickenham when England and France meet in a Guinness Six Nations title showdown on Saturday.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has dropped a selection bombshell by naming Smith at fly-half for ‘Le Crunch’ with Test centurion Owen Farrell demoted to the bench to accommodate his rival for the jersey.
One of the most exciting talents in English rugby has the task of implementing Borthwick’s high-tempo game plan against the Grand Slam champions and Watson insists the 24-year-old has the skills to deliver.
“We’ve seen what Marcus can do for Harlequins, ball in hand, tactical kicking. He’s got that X-Factor where he can spark a game into life,” Watson said.
“That’s what he’ll be expected to bring, doing what he does week-in, week-out for his club.
“It’s mostly to do with him creating something from nothing. That’s what people tune in to watch. Fans want to see that type of thing and Marcus does that regularly.
“He’s not a one-trick pony. He can find a little grubber in behind for himself, chips, all that type of stuff.
“Equally he can beat people one-on-one. It’s his range of ability to create stuff that makes him special.”
Farrell will relieve Ellis Genge of the captaincy as soon as he steps onto the field but it remains to be seen if he replaces Smith when he appears or will instead operate at inside centre.
“Off the pitch Marcus is quite a laidback character and he will definitely take it all in his stride,” Watson said.
“Having Owen there will be big for Marcus because Owen’s been there and done it all. Owen will be the first person to help Marcus out and he’s been doing that.
“It’s not just about leaving Marcus to his own devices, everyone across the backline is going to try to impose their game within the framework.”
England face their toughest challenge of the Six Nations yet with France positioned second in the global rankings – one place behind Ireland, who the Red Rose will take on in Dublin a week later.
Borthwick has repeatedly highlighted that the World Cup hosts are putting the finishing touches to preparations for the tournament while he is just three games into rebuilding the team after Eddie Jones was sacked in December.
“There’s loads of potential. We haven’t really scratched the surface with where we’re trying to get to yet. There’s so much more we can improve on,” Watson said.
“As individual athletes, not one of us is anywhere near our potential. From my perspective definitely.”
While Smith directs operations, Watson and Max Malins will be looking to provide firepower from the wings.
“There’s quite a bit of freedom to roam. There’s probably less stringent ‘be here at this point’ compared to other coaches,” Watson said.
“It’s beneficial for guys like myself and Max to be able to have the freedom to do that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments