Stand-in scrum-half Smith demands more from England

By

BBC Sport rugby union news reporter

England still have plenty to improve on despite the 11-try win over Fiji, says Marcus Smith - who will only be satisfied with the side's summer work if they end Argentina's unbeaten run in Santiago del Estero this weekend.

England face the Pumas on Saturday at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, 600 miles north west of the country's capital Buenos Aires.

Argentina have played twice at the 30,000-capacity stadium - which was opened in 2021 - and have won both matches, against Scotland and South Africa.

"It's nice to get reaffirmation that we're on the right path," Smith told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast as he reflected on the win against Fiji, which broke a five-match losing run for England.

"Obviously we're not perfect and there's a lot of things we need to work on, but we'll always leave it out there and commit as hard as we can to getting better.

"That record [Argentina's unbeaten run in Santiago del Estero] is there to be chased and broken, hopefully.

"We want to finish on a high so that we can all enjoy our summer holidays and have something to smile about."

Nations Championship

Saturday 18 July, 20:10 BST kick-off

Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero

The 27-year-old finished the 73-8 win over Fiji at scrum-half, after a hamstring tweak forced off replacement number nine Alex Mitchell with 23 minutes remaining.

Smith - a specialist fly-half who has played full-back for England over the past 18 months - did well in the role, prompting suggestions his versatility could give coach Steve Borthwick the option of naming seven forwards among his eight replacements.

"I used to play there when I was at school in Singapore and the Philippines," said Smith, who moved to England aged 13, about his scrum-half role.

"I haven't played there or trained there for a while, but in my head, I try and simplify the game. I play what's in front of me, do the basics well, and I hope I did that for the team."

Argentina is the final leg in a three-week 25,000-mile Nations Championship odyssey for England.

It will be the first time Smith, who toured with the British and Irish Lions last summer when England played two Tests away to the Pumas, has been to the country.

However he is looking forward a reunion with a clutch of Argentines, including Rodrigo Isgro and Guido Petti, alongside whom he plays at Harlequins.

"I'm excited to try their mate [a South American herbal tea] and see my club-mates," said Smith.

"They are an extremely passionate people, who wear their heart on their sleeve and there's a lot of history in this game."