The former Australia captain George Gregan says they will target Tommy Freeman’s defending at outside-centre for England on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick’s side kick off their autumn campaign at Twickenham against opponents who consigned them to a dramatic late defeat last year, and the head coach has made some notable selectorial calls.
George Ford starts at No 10 instead of Fin Smith, Ford’s Sale Sharks colleague Tom Roebuck is on the wing and, most interestingly, Freeman will play at No 13.
“That might change,” Gregan said of the Harlequins player’s absence from the squad. “Marcus Smith hasn’t been axed. I’m a big fan. He’s a wonderful player. England have got a plethora of options there [at fly-half].
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“Anyone who’s got a running threat and a passing threat, and an ability to back themselves which Marcus does – he’s always had that in spades. England have got a lot of artillery with those gentlemen [Marcus Smith, Fin Smith and Ford]. How they want to put that into the game, and play that week, that’s totally up to them.
“I’m sure they’re competing hard at training and anyone who misses out wants to get into the 23. Competition’s important and that brings the best out of the players.”
Gregan said that Noah Caluori’s aerial ability reminds him of an AFL player – “He might leave this country and go to [AFL club] Collingwood,” he joked – and also praised the ability of Freeman’s Northampton teammate Henry Pollock, who will be on the bench at Twickenham.
“His debut against Wales in the last Six Nations was very impressive, off the back of a lot of positive chat from people who I really respect,” Gregan said. “Then you watch him, and he’s everywhere, and he’s just going to get better. It was a really inspired choice by Faz [Andy Farrell] to have him part of that Lions team.”
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