Clive Woodward ‘would drop Marcus Smith’ if Owen Farrell was fit for South Africa clash

Sir Clive Woodward has reservations about Marcus Smith starting in place of Owen Farrell for England's clash with South Africa on Saturday.

Outside half Smith, 22, has taken seamlessly to international rugby, playing a key role last Saturday as Eddie Jones' side beat Australia 32-15 at Twickenham.

That followed his dazzling cameo off the bench in the 69-3 win over Tonga the previous week, and Jones was widely expected to again partner the Harlequins man with skipper Farrell in a 10-12 axis this weekend.

However, that plan was scuppered when Farrell left the field early in England's game with the Wallabies.

Marcus Smith on his way to a try against Tonga this month (Getty Images)

It has now also been announced that he will undergo ankle surgery and is likely to miss the start of the 2022 Six Nations.

Woodward, who previously said that the Saracens player shouldn't be in the England XV unless he's playing in his favoured no 10 position, has lamented his absence against the world champions - arguing the starting Smith could have been a key weapon to bring on in the second half.

"Everything I’ve seen from Smith leads me to believe he is a character who rises to the occasion against demanding opposition," he wrote in his column for the Daily Mail .

"Having said that, had Owen Farrell been available, I wouldn’t have started Smith.

"Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are the midfielders the Boks would not have wanted to see. I’ve said all along, it’s ‘either or’ for the no 10 shirt and for this game, I would have started Owen, with Smith coming on later in the game to cause serious damage."

Clive Woodward would have preferred to see Smith come off the bench against the Springboks (Getty Images)

Woodward, the head coach when England beat South Africa en route to their famous World Cup win in 2003, did acknowledge that starting the game will provide a real insight into the youngster's pedigree.

"That option [Farrell starting] is not available so we will get a full-scale examination of his credentials, which is brilliant for all involved."

The 65-year-old did warn however, that the Springboks, fresh from wins over Wales and Scotland, would now inevitably target Smith in a bid to expose him defensively.

"Wherever Smith is standing, that is where the Boks will go. If they get to him, they’ll hit extra-hard and try to get him on the floor," he added.

Smith made his England debut last summer before being surprisingly called up to the British Lions squad for their tour of South Africa, where he played against the Stormers.