Head coach Andy Farrell said England ace Marcus Smith's ability to cover both flyhalf and fullback is one of the driving factors in his inclusion in the British and Irish Lions squad.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has decided to do away with the Fin Smith-Marcus Smith axis after dumping the latter to the bench for Sunday's clash with Italy.
Marcus Smith stole the show as England inflicted a crushing 52-17 defeat on Japan and their former head coach Eddie Jones at Tokyo's National Stadium.
England have revealed Marcus Smith could miss the entire Six Nations because of the calf injury that has already ruled him out of upcoming clashes against Italy and Wales.
A calf injury to Marcus Smith will see the backline player miss England's opening Six Nations match against Italy.
England flyhalf Marcus Smith is awaiting scan results on a leg injury sustained in training just five days before the Guinness Six Nations' opener against Italy.