Of these appearances, nine were as substitutes and three as a full-back. Even when he started in his favored number 10 jersey, he often did so in the shadow of Owen Farrell. He had been picked to start at this year’s Six Nations but suffered a calf injury during a training camp in Girona, forcing George Ford to start in his place. When Smith returned for the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, it was in the absence of Ford. The feeling that he was simply keeping the No.10 jersey warm for Ford was not helped by the fact that he missed eight runs from the start in the opening 16-15 Test defeat to New Zealand.

The opener shone against Australia

If the English jury had once decided on Smith, it has now deliberated and in the 62nd minute of England lose to Australia delivered a unanimous verdict. When Ford appeared on the sidelines, boos rang out throughout the Allianz Stadium. The crowd’s disapproval was not over the introduction of Ford but over the possibility of impeaching Smith.

In the event, a mutiny was averted as Smith was moved to the back where he continued to shine. At times it felt like England’s attack had been reduced to an under-12s game where you just give the ball to your best player and expect him to do something. That’s exactly what Smith did. He featured in all five of England’s Tests against Australia and, despite the result, he was clearly toast at Twickenham.

Watching from afar, Harlequins coach Nick Evans has seen a palpable difference in Smith’s performances this autumn. “He looks a lot more comfortable playing the way he wants,” Evans said. “Just to be him in the England shirt rather than trying to be someone else or thinking he has to play differently.”

Evans can directly relate to Smith’s experience. Most of his international career was spent as a backup to All Blacks great Dan Carter. In the shade of oaks as tall as Carter and Farrell, it can be difficult for young trees to grow. When Farrell decided to move to France, suddenly there appeared the light Smith needed to flourish.

“Faz was an absolute stalwart of English rugby and, as someone who played over 100 tests, he deserves all the accolades he received,” Evans said. “He deserves a big role in Marcus’ development at international level. Then, when he chose to move, Marcus had the opportunity to take on this role. And that’s what he did.

This is reflected in statistics compiled by Opta Sports which show Smith tops the rankings of leading flyhalfs for assists, try participations and 50-22 kicks in 2024. He is also second for tries and beaten defenders although he only appears off the field. bench for the last two Six Nations matches.