The selection of Marcus Smith at full back for England against Chile is hardly radical when you consider that the global game is pivoting towards deploying a fly half, or at least a genuine play-maker, in the role. Beauden Barrett, Willie le Roux, Thomas Ramos, Blair Kinghorn and Tommaso Allan have all worn the No15 jersey at this World Cup.
By that measure, Steve Borthwick, the head coach, is following a trend but it still represents a departure for England, who have not selected a creative full back with any consistency since Alex Goode in 2014. Smith’s first professional start in the position is the most interesting element of a game that should be a straightforward gateway for England into the quarter-finals, after wins against
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