Former England captain Dylan Hartley has firmly backed Marcus Smith as the fly-half to lead England into the future, praising the young playmaker for his maturity, leadership, and undeniable talent throughout the Autumn Nations Series.
When it comes to the player he believes can lead the charge in the 10 jersey for the 2025 Six Nations, Hartley has no doubt that Smith is the man for the job. Hartley told Prime Casino: “The breakout star for me? and I don’t think he was breakout, but he really solidified himself as your form 10.” I’m talking about Marcus Smith. He is the guy,”
He was full of praise for the 25-year-old, who he believes is not just a pivotal player but also a natural leader. “He gave, you know, he inspired, he led. I think for him to get a run of games, it kind of answers that question that he is the guy.”
Speaking openly about England’s current trajectory under head coach Steve Borthwick, Hartley emphasized that while results are key, the long-term vision is vital for the team’s success.
“I don’t think Steve Borthwick’s job is dependent on having a successful Six Nations with England,” Hartley said, pointing out the RFU’s commitment to Borthwick for a full four-year cycle. “The RFU have committed to Borthwick for a four-year cycle, so this will be Steve’s team until after the 2027 World Cup. I think that’s the right decision – the RFU need to have the confidence and conviction that Steve is the right man for the job. If they were to make changes now, it resets everything and puts it back a few years.”
Hartley acknowledged that while England had faced tough competition in the Autumn Nations Series, the team’s youthful energy and clear tactical direction were positives. “I think what Steve’s done, he’s picked young players, exciting players.
There is a clear understanding on how they’re trying to play the game,” he said. Despite England’s narrow losses to top-tier teams like the All Blacks and South Africa, Hartley was optimistic. “This is a competitive team that ultimately has come out on the wrong side of the results. A win would have alleviated a whole lot of pressure and strain from a media and fan’s perspective.”
However, as much as Hartley respects the process, he is clear about one thing: results matter. “Ultimately, wins are what people are looking for, not looking to build for four years’ time,” Hartley explained. “Everyone will sit here for the next World Cup, and they’ll celebrate and ultimately forget the autumn games if we’re successful. I think perspective is a great thing but, ultimately, it’s a results-driven business and people want results.”
Hartley also recognized the importance of continuity at fly-half, something Smith is providing after a solid run of starts. “9 and 10 you need continuity. They’re really the heartbeat of the side,” Hartley added. “Marcus was more than a heartbeat. He inspired. He led.”
Looking ahead to England’s Six Nations campaign, Hartley sees the competition as an opportunity for the team to regain momentum. “They’ve got to win their home games. Twickenham has got to be a place where they win,” he said. “They’ve got a huge opportunity also playing Ireland first up. That’s the opportunity to catch them cold before they’ve had time to build into the tournament.”
While there are still questions to be answered, especially regarding consistency against the world’s top teams, Hartley believes Smith has the ability to be part of the solution. “Are England flat-track bullies? I’d say no. Again, you’ve got horses for courses,” he remarked. “Marcus is the guy who can lead them to where they need to be. He has the conviction, and that’s what England needs moving forward.”
Hartley is not only impressed by Smith’s ability to lead but also by the positive signs emerging from England’s depth, especially in key positions in the scrum-time battle. “There’s a conveyor belt of good young talent coming through. It’s promising to know that we’ve got good young athletic props coming through,” he said, highlighting players like Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Fin Baxter as part of a growing pool of future stars.
However, he also pointed to a challenge facing the English system: continuity. “If you look at Wales or Ireland, certainly the All Blacks, you could name their starting 15 for years, and you probably had a pretty good idea who was in their second 15. England have got so much depth and so many good players. We often don’t build continuity in selection, and I often think it’s to the detriment of the team.”
Despite these challenges, Hartley remains optimistic about England’s future with Marcus Smith at the helm. As the team continues to build toward the 2027 World Cup, Hartley’s belief in Smith’s leadership is clear. “Marcus Smith is the guy,” he reiterated, “and I think he’s going to be a key part of England’s future for many years to come.”
The post “He is the Guy” – Dylan Hartley: Former England captain backs Marcus Smith to lead England forward into 2025 Six Nations appeared first on Ruck.
