Marcus Smith and Fin Smith competing to start for England against Japan and New Zealand as they look to prove they are the future of the white No 10 jersey with George Ford missing out through injury

Opportunity is now knocking for two of the brightest young talents in English rugby.

George Ford’s Achilles injury – which means he will not be involved in the summer tests with Japan or New Zealand – robs national coach Steve Borthwick of one of his most experienced and trusted players. But it also presents what is undoubtedly a golden opportunity for Marcus or Fin Smith to set a major milestone and prove that they are the future of the white number 10 jersey.

Both are extremely talented. They represent everything you want in an English player. The pair are daring, exciting, fearless and have experience at the highest level.

But only one of them can start.

Finn Smith’s remarkable progress at club level this season ended on Saturday when he lifted the Gallagher Premiership trophy with Northampton. His namesake Marcus, meanwhile, is an attacking bag of tricks who is a joy to watch and a firm fan favorite given his range of skills.

So who will Borthwick choose? It is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult decision.

A quick poll on social media on Sunday on who England should pick was split almost 50:50.

‘I’d love to play 10 times for England but I’d be involved first,’ said Finn Smith after his Saints side ran past a heroic 14-man Bath team to win their first English league title in a decade at Twickenham . ‘I came off the bench for ten minutes in Italy and fifteen minutes in Scotland and I don’t feel like I really left my mark on that (England) shirt.

“So that’s the goal: to go to camp and give it my all and make the 10 jersey my own. That would be a huge way to end the season. We have an individual development plan and mine was to win the league with Saints and get an England cap. I’ve now done both things.

“When you play these games, you hope you raise your hand and get a chance.”

Fin Smith spent Saturday evening kicking off Northampton’s title celebrations, first at Twickenham and then at the club’s Franklin’s Gardens home. The festivities continued on Sunday with an open-top bus parade through Northampton. Fin Smith’s hangover will need to be resolved quickly.

He has shown this season that he is capable of controlling big games. If Borthwick is looking for a Ford-like replacement, he will certainly opt for the man from Northampton, who is a strong defender, has a neat attacking game and is generally reliable in kicking. Marcus Smith is more of an outsider, a magician with an unprecedented bag of tricks who knows how to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The Harlequins No.10 has more experience than his namesake at international level, having won 32 England caps, appearing in last year’s World Cup and touring with the Lions in 2021.

Finn Smith’s first two England caps came in this year’s Six Nations as a substitute, but there is no denying he is an emerging force.

“This is the first year that I’ve ever been satisfied with what I’ve done,” he said.

‘I have worked very hard. At the end of last season I talked to myself and said, ‘If you want to be this guy who is remembered for what you want to be remembered for, and do all the things you want to do, you’re going to have to work really hard.” I’ve tried to do that.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot this year as a person and as a player and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Given Northampton’s latest efforts and Harlequins’ lack of involvement in the business end of the season, it is likely that Marcus Smith will start at number 10 against Japan on June 22 in Tokyo.

But when the Borthwick side arrive in New Zealand, both players will get the chance to stake their claim for the shirt against the All Blacks.

Borthwick will announce its final celebration before the trip on Monday. When he faces the media at Twickenham, the No 10 debate is sure to dominate.

Borthwick had previously challenged Fin Smith that he wanted to see him lead his club side to success. He did exactly that. Fin Smith, like Northampton as a collective, was not at his best in the final as his attacking play was stifled by Bath’s line speed in defence, even after Beno Obano was sent off.

But such an experience will only benefit his learning process over time.

It is this writer’s belief – although far from certain at this stage – that Marcus Smith remains just a nose ahead of his rival in the Borthwick pecking order.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Marcus Smith was due to start the Six Nations ahead of Ford before suffering a calf injury in training. He also scored the winning drop goal against Ireland.

The way England’s attacking play developed impressively under Ford as the Six Nations progressed would undoubtedly suit both Smiths, but perhaps even more so with Marcus.

However, there is undoubtedly time to change things. What an enviable position it is for Borthwick to have two such brilliant options to choose from after the loss of Owen Farrell and now Ford. On standby for what promises to be an exciting summer for English rugby, with two young tyros set to be at the heart of the action.

“I went on a school rugby tour to New Zealand and we did a stadium tour of Eden Park which was pretty cool and the first time I had seen the place,” said Fin Smith.

‘It would be a nice full circle moment if I manage to perform there in a few weeks.

‘They are rugby crazy there. It should be pretty cool to be stuck there this summer.”