Sir Clive Woodward wants Lions to drop Marcus Smith for obvious replacement
Rugby NewsTuesday, 24 June 2025 at 08:23
Sir Clive Woodward has made it crystal clear: he doesn’t want to see Marcus Smith wearing the No.15 shirt again following the Lions' loss to Argentina.
Writing in the Mail Online, the World Cup-winning coach didn’t hold back, questioning the logic behind continuing to deploy Smith at fullback.
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“I’m sure Finn Russell will start at fly-half this weekend. Full back will be an interesting one. I’m equally certain Blair Kinghorn will walk into the side at No 15 once his club commitments with Toulouse are done and dusted this weekend."
“I’m not sure how much more we’ll see of Marcus Smith in the back field. I thought he struggled there against Argentina."
“Ever since he was moved from 10 to 15 by England in the Six Nations, I’ve been consistent in saying Smith is not a full back."
“It’s getting to the point where I just feel sorry for him as a very talented player being played out of position. He deserves better. His best and only place should be No 10."
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Woodward’s blunt assessment follows a wave of underwhelming reviews from across the rugby media landscape, with Smith earning a string of 5/10 ratings after a performance riddled with errors and positional uncertainty.
Rugby Pass (5/10):
“Scrappy enough for the Harlequin... didn’t look terribly comfortable in the air either... an evening to forget.”
“Scrappy enough for the Harlequin... didn’t look terribly comfortable in the air either... an evening to forget.”
The Irish Times (5/10):
“Caught out of position and didn’t read the threat when Santiago Cordero scored his second-half try.”
“Caught out of position and didn’t read the threat when Santiago Cordero scored his second-half try.”
Flo Rugby (5/10):
“Brutally exposed by the Pumas’ kicking game... highlighted why flyhalf remains his best position.”
“Brutally exposed by the Pumas’ kicking game... highlighted why flyhalf remains his best position.”
With Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan both available, Smith now faces a battle just to stay in the 23 — and Woodward isn’t the only one thinking his time at fullback should be over.
10 Lions Changes Andy Farrell Must Make against Western Force
1. Dan Sheehan in for Luke Cowan-Dickie
Cowan-Dickie brought energy but faltered at the lineout. Sheehan’s throwing is sharper, and he adds mobility and form from Leinster.
Cowan-Dickie brought energy but faltered at the lineout. Sheehan’s throwing is sharper, and he adds mobility and form from Leinster.
2. Will Stuart in for Finlay Bealham
Bealham was solid, but Stuart offers more raw power and set-piece dominance — key against the Force pack.
Bealham was solid, but Stuart offers more raw power and set-piece dominance — key against the Force pack.
3. Ollie Chessum in for Tadhg Beirne
Beirne impressed with his running lines, but Chessum brings more physicality and aerial prowess — crucial for disrupting the Force’s lineout.
Beirne impressed with his running lines, but Chessum brings more physicality and aerial prowess — crucial for disrupting the Force’s lineout.
4. Josh van der Flier in for Tom Curry
Despite Curry's work-rate, Van der Flier’s breakdown work and consistency make him a better fit as Farrell looks to steady the back row.
Despite Curry's work-rate, Van der Flier’s breakdown work and consistency make him a better fit as Farrell looks to steady the back row.
5. Jack Conan in for Ben Earl
Earl was one of the better performers, but Conan’s control at No.8 and ability to carry in tight channels earns him the nod.
Earl was one of the better performers, but Conan’s control at No.8 and ability to carry in tight channels earns him the nod.
6. Jamison Gibson-Park in for Alex Mitchell
Mitchell looked rushed and ineffective after halftime. Gibson-Park’s speed and composure offer a much-needed upgrade at scrum-half.
Mitchell looked rushed and ineffective after halftime. Gibson-Park’s speed and composure offer a much-needed upgrade at scrum-half.
7. Finn Russell in for Fin Smith
Fin Smith struggled to impose himself. Enter Russell — the magician Farrell needs to inject some vision, control, and attacking flair.
Fin Smith struggled to impose himself. Enter Russell — the magician Farrell needs to inject some vision, control, and attacking flair.
8. Huw Jones in for Bundee Aki
Aki’s power was evident but faded. Jones brings better distribution and defensive organisation at outside centre, linking nicely with Tuipulotu.
Aki’s power was evident but faded. Jones brings better distribution and defensive organisation at outside centre, linking nicely with Tuipulotu.
9. James Lowe in for Duhan van der Merwe
Van der Merwe had a patchy outing, and Lowe’s left boot and creativity could unlock the Force’s defence from deep.
Van der Merwe had a patchy outing, and Lowe’s left boot and creativity could unlock the Force’s defence from deep.
10. Hugo Keenan in for Marcus Smith
Smith’s shaky positioning and lack of control under the high ball cost the Lions. Keenan is calm, composed and positionally solid — exactly what the back three needs.
Smith’s shaky positioning and lack of control under the high ball cost the Lions. Keenan is calm, composed and positionally solid — exactly what the back three needs.
Farrell's Updated XV to Face Western Force
15. Hugo Keenan
14. James Lowe
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
8. Jack Conan
7. Jac Morgan
6. Josh van der Flier
5. Ollie Chessum
4. Maro Itoje
3. Will Stuart
2. Dan Sheehan
1. Ellis Genge
14. James Lowe
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
8. Jack Conan
7. Jac Morgan
6. Josh van der Flier
5. Ollie Chessum
4. Maro Itoje
3. Will Stuart
2. Dan Sheehan
1. Ellis Genge
EDITORS PICKS:
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- First-Ever Grandson of a Lion Becomes a Lion against Argentina tonight
- Henry Pollock leaves coaches stunned with freakish gym stats
- Louis Rees-Zammit Unveils Dramatic Body Transformation
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