Owen Farrell believes the burgeoning Marcus Smith is “a huge talent” and says he wants to help the Harlequins’ open-half realize his potential with England this fall. Farrell, who has 99 test caps, has also made it clear that he would be happy to play center with Smith wearing No.10 if Eddie Jones goes for that combination against Tonga next week.

With a reshuffled England squad preparing in Jersey for the November internationals, Farrell has been impressed with Smith’s enthusiasm for the game and believes the two may come together, if necessary, at Twickenham next month. “He’s a huge talent and a very exciting player,” said Farrell, who won 93 caps for England and six for the Lions.

“He’s a brilliant boy and not just a very talented player, but a good student of the game. He seems to be confident because, for me, he got the job done. He understands the game and knows exactly what he wants to get out of it. He speaks common sense and that helps when it comes to playing in the position he is in. He’s doing it very well right now.

If Smith starts at 10, that would almost certainly mean Farrell will wear the 12th jersey on Saturday week. The pair have yet to develop the same innate understanding that Farrell used to enjoy with his longtime friend George Ford, but the England captain is adamant he will do whatever is best for the sake of it. ‘team. “I only care about working hard for the team and making sure I do my best for them. Whatever suits the group best, I’ll be happy.

Farrell, 30, clearly recognizes that Smith, 22, represents England’s future, but does not consider himself indispensable despite a strong start to the season at 10 for the Saracens. “I never thought anyone was unfazed,” Farrell said. “You wait for a phone call to see if you are chosen. You don’t want to expect too much. You always have to work hard to be on this team.

“Marcus is someone who enjoys talking about rugby and trying to get a better understanding of the game. If I can help him do it in any way I would love to. His passion for the game, it oozes from him. He’s someone who can unlock a game, but he also has a keen eye for how to make a team work. You want to make sure he keeps that kind of balance and he has the attitude to do it, hopefully for a long time.

Whatever line-up Jones chooses, it will be a new combination of England with the notable absentees of the Vunipola brothers. Farrell also suggests that there will be a new approach. “I hope we will bring something a little different. We have new coaches, we have new players and we want to evolve.

“The important thing for us is to be aggressive in the way we play, but we also have to be prepared to play the way the game allows us to. There are quite a few changes and it feels a bit different. The team has a mix of experience and youth.

Irish captain Johnny Sexton, meanwhile, says he also remains fully motivated, at the age of 36, to continue representing his country. Sexton is set to win his 100th Irish selection next week, but refuses to tempt fate by celebrating prematurely. “If I am chosen, it will be something very special. When you get your first cap at 24, you never think you’ll hit 100. ”