Marcus Smith’s club coach questions substitution in England defeat

Eddie Jones’s decision to take Marcus Smith off at a crucial juncture in England’s Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland was premeditated and a missed opportunity for the fly-half, according to his Harlequins coach, Tabai Matson.

England were 17-10 ahead at Murrayfield – with Smith scoring all of their points – when Jones replaced him and introduced George Ford in the 63rd minute. Scotland proceeded to mount a dramatic comeback with Ford’s main contribution a disappointing touch-finder as Jones’s side sought to snatch victory in the closing minutes.

When asked about the substitution, Jones brushed off suggestions it was a costly decision, insisting, “It’s a 23-man squad and we felt George could do a job” – despite the fact that Smith had scored England’s only try and was on target with four penalties during his time on the field.

Numerous former players questioned the decision and, when Matson was asked about Smith’s showing at Murrayfield before Harlequins’ defeat by Sale on Sunday, he told BT Sport: “I think when he went off it must have been premeditated because he was going really well. His opportunity to close out the game would have been great for him but it must have been premeditated.”

Smith is, at least, expected to keep hold of the No 10 jersey against Italy on Sunday with Jones saying he will stick by his rookies as England seek to get their Six Nations campaign back on track.

Tom Curry is also likely to retain the captaincy with a defiant Jones adamant that his players need to be put “back into the fire” after England succumbed to defeat on the opening weekend of the championship for the third year in a row.

Italy’s defeat by France on Sunday was their 33rd in a row and the trip to Rome offers Jones the chance to