Marcus Smith sets England tone for South Africa Nations Championship opener
The Harlequins playmaker says England will start fast at Ellis Park as Steve Borthwick's side launch the new global competition against the world champions.
Rhys Calloway
Writer ·
Marcus Smith has framed England's trip to South Africa as a chance to make an immediate statement in the new Nations Championship, with the 36-man squad due in Johannesburg before a demanding opener against the world champions.
Altitude, long-haul travel and South Africa's physical power all form part of the test, but Smith said England intend to start fast and leave everything on the field.
Background
The Nations Championship is designed to give July internationals higher stakes, and a first-round visit to Ellis Park gives the tournament instant weight. Fixtures against Fiji and Argentina follow.
Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has played down the travel challenge, while South Africa's Rassie Erasmus warned that England's young players already carry serious Test experience.
What happens next
A strong start at altitude would give Borthwick's squad a sharper edge heading into the rest of the campaign, and set an early marker in a competition built to raise the stakes of the summer schedule.
Source: This summary is based on reporting by The Guardian. The NE Times aggregates and rewrites news for readability; please refer to the original for the full report.
For informational purposes only. The NE Times does not provide live or breaking news coverage — we collect stories from established sources and present them in a readable format. Disclaimer.
You may also like to read
South Africa Reach First Ever World Cup Knockout Stage
Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike beats South Korea 1-0 and sends Hugo Broos's side into a last-32 tie with co-hosts Canada.
New Zealand Openers Latham and Conway Pile Pressure on England at Trent Bridge
Tom Latham and Devon Conway shared a record 317 opening stand in searing heat as the third Test swung the tourists' way on day one.
England injury checks on James and Rice shape Panama selection under Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel faces fresh fitness questions before England's World Cup group game against Panama, with Reece James reporting hamstring tightness and Declan Rice still being managed.
Hayley Matthews disputes caught-behind call in West Indies exit
The West Indies captain insisted she did not hit the ball after a contentious review during England's 38-run T20 World Cup win that booked a semi-final place.