Borthwick sticks with Marcus Smith as England’s goal-kicker for Calcutta Cup
- Harlequin missed important kicks in win against France
- ‘He’s a world class goal-kicker so it’s very simple’
Steve Borthwick has given the “world class” Marcus Smith a vote of confidence as England’s goal-kicker for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup after sticking by the Harlequins playmaker despite his recent wobble from the tee.
Smith will retain the kicking duties against Scotland despite handing over to Fin Smith against France, when the Northampton fly-half guided England to a 26-25 victory. Marcus Smith missed two straightforward kicks against Les Bleus in the second half, hooking both left, before Fin Smith took over and kicked crucial conversions in the 71st and 80th minutes.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Marcus Smith can become England’s pinch hitter with a licence to thrill
Fin Smith’s control at fly-half looks the better option but that need not mean the end of the Harlequin’s Test career. All too often, both in life and rugby, people prefer to stick to a certain ...The Guardian - Feb. 13 -
England exposed to video nasties in bid to end losing streak in Calcutta Cup
Scotland have won the last four meetings in Six Nations Steve Borthwick using clips of defeats for motivation England players have been shown Calcutta Cup video nasties for extra motivation as ...The Guardian - 3d -
‘I’ve told Dad to be neutral’ – Fin Smith on split family Calcutta Cup loyalties
Fly-half starred in England’s victory against France and is now set to face Scotland, the country of his father’s birth. As Gregor Townsend sweats on the availability of Finn Russell for next ...The Guardian - 6d -
Calcutta Cup classics: our writers pick their most memorable showdowns
As England prepare to host Scotland on Saturday, relive some of the most compelling clashes between the old foes. That bonkers 38-38 draw in 2019 clearly has to be up there. But the world’s ...The Guardian - 1d -
Smith to bat at three in England's Champions Trophy opener
Jamie Smith will take the gloves and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia on Saturday.BBC News - 4h -
England win has fans dreaming again as Borthwick’s plans come together | Robert Kitson
Emotional success against France captures imagination and showcases the charm and unpredictability of the Six Nations. After it was all over on Saturday night, England’s players peeled away to seek ...The Guardian - Feb. 10 -
Fin Smith's composure gives England vital new dimension - Dawson
Rookie fly-half Fin Smith showed England there is another way to play after stepping in for maverick Marcus Smith says Matt Dawson.BBC News - Feb. 9 -
Jamie Smith at No 3 for England’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia
Joe Root moves down to No 4 in batter-heavy lineup Smith has batted first-drop just once in his List A career It was as if they could not wait to share the news, England naming their XI for ...The Guardian - 3h -
Steve Smith’s enduring brilliance gives England sinking feeling once again | James Wallace
The Australian’s invincibility cloak has a few holes in it these days but given his record against England runs in upcoming clashes seem inevitable. Coldplay’s Chris Martin tells a story about the ...The Guardian - 20h
More from The Guardian
-
Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US-brokered peace – live
US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this week. Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US ...The Guardian - 46m -
‘One of the hardest days’ in Israel as Hamas hands over hostages’ bodies
Remains of two young children, their mother and an elderly man arrive in Tel Aviv after ‘cruel’ handover in Gaza. The remains of two young children, their mother, and an elderly man taken hostage ...The Guardian - 2h -
Trump appears to agree to cut checks to Americans to share portion of savings from Doge cost-cutting
‘Department of government efficiency’ head Elon Musk suggested $5,000 checks to US households if targets met. Donald Trump has appeared to embrace a proposal to share a portion of the cuts in US ...The Guardian - 2h -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 25m -
Americans’ confidence in air travel falls after string of plane crashes, poll shows
Survey indicates 64% of Americans believe flying is safe, down from 71% who said so last year. Americans’ confidence in aviation has slipped following a string of plane crashes in 2025, according ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Europa League playoffs: Roma v Porto, Galatasaray v AZ and more – live
Europa League updates from around the grounds Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Rob 45 min: Roma 2-1 Porto (agg: 3-2) Roma almost scored a third a moment ago, with a shot ...The Guardian - 16m -
Vance poses immigration as ‘greatest threat’ to US and Europe in CPAC speech
Vice-president also reaffirmed the administration’s Ukraine stance at largest conservative voters conference. US politics live – latest updates JD Vance marked one month since the Trump ...The Guardian - 24m -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 25m -
Suits LA review – glossy legal spinoff is an unsexy disappointment
After Suits became a surprise Netflix smash hit in 2023, the inevitable follow-up is unlikely to find as many fans. For all my eye-rolling at spinoffs, reboots and IP rehashing, I have to admit ...The Guardian - 30m -
Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US-brokered peace – live
US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this week. Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US ...The Guardian - 46m