England v Italy- in Six Nations: Henry Pollock has ‘wonderful future’, says Kevin Sinfield
Sinfield’s current champion is a skill coach, but former Trake Coach said his role is very diverse as he was also seen playing with England’s kickers before playing.
Marcus Smith started the game with England’s half and home kicks, but his disappointing performance against France’s Tee made the eponymous Fin Smith convert Elliot Daly’s win match.
Marcus Smith retained the kicking position in his victory over Scotland, and then Fin Smith was responsible for the long-term fine from the midway route.
Asked if England had a home ball, Hinfield said: “It’s usually the Marcus of the sport.
“The one we changed on the weekend was from the midway Bang, and it also had a slight angle, so it could understand what the scope of people was. These guys actually made this decision on the field.
“The balance between them is great. They understand that the team has to be first, and sometimes it means that some decisions are made with kicks and with the choices, where people play and how many minutes they get.”
Marcus Smith played two games at the defender, while Fin Smith directed the Flying Forecast, but Sinfield said the decision was intended to harness the strength of Harlequins players in space.
“I think he’s played the role of (the defender) multiple times,” Hinfield added. “He may not have started yet, but it’s certainly his in the game when Jarrod Evans continues to move forward.
“We know he’s the world-class No. 10 and part of our role as a coach is trying to get our best players into the field, which sometimes means they have to shift positions a little.
“One of Marcus’s greatest qualities is how he beats people and how he looks in a little bigger space, and trying to get him into those positions when the gap is bigger is why he was moved to 15.
“It’s not that it will continue, or it will change, but that the fact that he has some flexibility in the game is really important to us.”
