DAN BIGGAR: Marcus Smith is the right choice at No 10 for England's clash with Japan - but here's why Fin Smith should get the nod for the New Zealand Test series

With Owen Farrell and George Ford unavailable this summer, England are entering a new No 10 era this weekend in Japan and then New Zealand.

Farrell or Ford have been England's fly-half for a decade so you might think that Steve Borthwick would be in a tricky position without them. Not so. Fortunately for him, Borthwick has two incredible young players to pick from in Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. Both are huge talents. Choosing is very difficult but that's why Steve gets paid the big money.

He has gone with Marcus to start with Fin on the bench for Saturday's clash with Japan, naming the team early to try to kill some of the debate. That's the right call for this game, but Fin should be the first choice for the two July Tests with New Zealand. This is why...

It's really important Borthwick backs his preferred choice with a clear plan. When I was a young 10 starting out with Wales and in a similar position to the one Marcus and Fin are in now, I felt like I had to take every chance I was given or else I wouldn't play again for a while.

If you feel like you are going to be in and out of the team like I did — and I had quality rivals such as James Hook, Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland — it doesn't allow you to play your best rugby. You worry about making mistakes and can tighten up.

The best thing that happened to me with Wales was when I knew the 10 jersey was mine. That was around 2015 and it was no surprise I played some good rugby at that year's World Cup. I wish I'd had that backing earlier in my career.

I toured with Marcus with the Lions in 2021. He is a wonderful player capable of individual brilliance. Him starting in Tokyo is the right call as he's had more time in the England camp this summer than Fin who played in the Premiership play-offs for Northampton and went off with cramp in the final against Bath. I'm sure England are managing him a bit, but when it comes to the All Blacks Tests I don't think you can ignore the season Fin has had.

His development has been superb. He's guided Northampton to the Premiership title and been voted player of the year.

It's not like Marcus has had a bad season. But with Fin riding a wave of confidence right now and with momentum in his game, then if you're not going to make him No 10 now, when are you?

It's a good thing that neither Ford nor Farrell are around this summer as it rids England of a safety net those two have provided for so long. England have to go in a new direction now and that's hugely exciting.

The two Smiths are different. Fin fits the Borthwick mould. He is more like Ford than Marcus. Fin brings control. He's in charge at Northampton and while it might look like Saints play free-flowing rugby, I know how structured their game plan is.

Fin's strength is his ability to bring others into play. He's also a very strong defender which Borthwick will like. Fin is very good at moving the ball at the line. He likes to have options and pods of forwards next to him. He is less of a running threat than Marcus but has a lovely delay on his passes that causes opposition defenders to jam in. That creates space for others. Fin is the best playmaker in England at the minute.

Marcus's game is less structured. He likes to hang behind the ball carriers and then take his opportunity to attack. He likes to take time to scan the field for gaps.

He's also improved his kicking game. He is very good at the chip over the defensive line. Marcus has also worked hard on his control. In the past he might have tried too much at the wrong time, but he picks his moments now.

His running threat is his huge strength with his speed and footwork. Opposition defences can't switch off as he can challenge the line every time he gets the ball. He has a wicked step and can't be given time. If he has that, he will unleash his full bag of tricks.

One thing Marcus doesn't get enough credit for is his toughness. He's not the biggest, but he puts his body on the line — as we saw at last year's World Cup against Fiji.

Borthwick has talked about the possibility of both Smiths being on the field at the same time with Fin at 10 and Marcus at full back. To me those comments show that he is perhaps looking at Marcus to come off the bench in New Zealand when the game breaks up.

One other thing in Fin's favour is the Northampton connection. He is one of six Saints backs in the squad. In the past, England have built their XV around a core of players from the Premiership's best sides — think Leicester and Saracens more recently.

Fin's relationship with Alex Mitchell, who is starting at No 9 against Japan, could be crucial to England having solid foundations.

Borthwick can't please everyone. And the danger of him doing as I have suggested and backing Fin unequivocally for the two All Blacks games is that Marcus throws his toys out the pram. But I don't think that will happen as Marcus is a great pro.

The best teams I've been a part of are where everyone knows and accepts their role for the good of the team. For example, when Wales won a Grand Slam in 2019 I accepted my job was to come off the bench and support Gareth Anscombe.

One thing is for sure. Both Smiths will have to kick a lot more with England this summer than they do with their clubs and I know Fin has worked hard on his tactical kicking game.

That will be vital in New Zealand because the All Blacks put boot to ball more than most international sides. But Fin can thrive in that environment.

It's going to be tough. It's unlikely to all be plain sailing. But we have to remember, he's still only 22 and that he also more than deserves his shot.