Heading into the Autumn Nations Series, the two front-runners to wear the British and Irish Lions No 10 jersey at the end of the season were Scotland's Finn Russell and England's Marcus Smith.
Five caps off the bench is the story of this 22-year-old fledgling Test career but in delivering a player-of-the-match effort to edge Northampton past Exeter without the absent Alex Mitchell servicing him, he illustrated his credentials to be considered an England starter at 10 in the four-match the Autumn Nations Series.
Ellis Park made for a raucous setting for the first Test between the host Springboks and All Blacks of 2024, and both sides appeared to lift under the pressure.
Former All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith admitted that facing ex-Wallaby Israel Folau was one of the most daunting tasks for his New Zealand teammates during Test season.
The highly-rated Ospreys loosehead has left Wales after 12 years, with no regrets and relishing making an impression with Leicester Tigers
The Brave Blossoms were spirited opponents but there will be a step up in class when England travel to New Zealand
Highlanders co-captain Aaron Smith as returned to the side's starting lineup ahead of their must-win clash against the Brumbies in Canberra this weekend.
An array of grim statistics point to a harrowing afternoon in store when Italy face England at Twickenham.
Marcus Smith and Zach Mercer will be apprentices with England's squad to face Argentina and Eddie Jones joked they will be making tea.