England’s Attack Under Scrutiny as Smith Becomes the Latest Casualty of Tactical Changes

The sun was shining in Bagshot—ideal conditions for a player like Marcus Smith to showcase his flair against a tentative Italian side. Yet, as England’s latest team selection was unveiled, it likely hit the Smith household and his representatives at Roc Nation with a heavy thud. Just weeks ago, Netflix was positioning the 26-year-old as rugby’s next superstar—complete with the “best hair in world rugby” and a brand-new Mercedes G-Wagon. Now, he finds himself relegated to the bench, a stark reminder of the sport’s ever-changing fortunes.

Though Smith remains in the matchday squad, being named as a replacement is a tough pill to swallow. He was England’s standout performer in an otherwise uninspiring autumn campaign, a rare spark of brilliance. Now, his role is limited to impact substitution duties, leaving questions about his prospects for the British & Irish Lions and his overall trajectory as a marquee player.

His demotion was, perhaps, inevitable. Once Fin Smith was named as the starting fly-half, it became clear that Marcus Smith’s skill set didn’t naturally fit elsewhere. While undoubtedly talented, he’s not a conventional full-back and may be better suited to making a difference in the latter stages of matches rather than dealing with high kicks and relentless defensive pressure. The decision to surround Fin Smith with his Northampton Saints teammates makes sense, especially given Italy’s strong midfield, which explains Fraser Dingwall’s inclusion as a defensive linchpin.

Yet, this selection raises further questions. The recall of Elliot Daly at full-back—his first time in the role for England in four years—feels like another reactive move following the lackluster performance against Scotland, rather than a proactive strategy. Dingwall, often on the fringes of selection, also benefits from the reshuffle.

With Henry Slade unable to train fully earlier in the week, England likely felt they needed another strong kicking option, making Daly’s selection logical. His late try against France remains England’s best moment of the championship, but at 34, he is hardly a long-term solution. If Steve Borthwick is indeed loosening England’s rigid tactical framework, the change appears measured rather than revolutionary.

Further scrutiny has been placed on England’s coaching staff, particularly after Will Carling’s comments on their lack of Test-level experience. If England produce another lackluster display against Italy, public patience will wear thin. Borthwick rightly highlights that England managed four tries against France and three in Dublin, yet their box-kick-heavy performance against Scotland in pristine conditions suggested an attack still struggling to find its rhythm.

Perhaps this is why Borthwick has leaned heavily on Northampton’s core, selecting five Saints players in his backline. Had George Furbank been fit, it might have been six. It’s a testament to the work done at Franklin’s Gardens by Sam Vesty, Phil Dowson, and their coaching team. At this rate, England might as well adopt Northampton’s black, green, and gold jerseys.

But what if the plan doesn’t work? What if England’s attack remains disjointed despite the club chemistry? What if the problems run deeper than personnel changes? If England struggle in the first half, expect the cameras to focus on one particular substitute in the tracksuit—Marcus Smith.

No pressure, then. The primary objective is to win convincingly enough to keep England’s mathematical title hopes alive. But this weekend, the performance will matter just as much as the result. It’s time for England to show their true identity—whoever is holding the reins.

"Women's Football Thrives on Competition – Scrapping WSL Relegation Could Drive Fans Away"

WSL Expansion Plans Spark Debate Over Relegation Freeze and Competition Integrity

The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) is currently discussing a major restructuring of England’s top two women’s divisions, involving an expansion from 12 to 16 teams over four years, starting in 2026-27. While one team will continue to be promoted to the Women’s Super League (WSL) each season, relegation could be suspended for at least four years to facilitate this growth.

Expansion discussions are understandable, as the current 12-team model was designed to concentrate talent and ensure high-quality competition. However, with rising attendances and matchday revenue becoming crucial to club sustainability, more home games are needed. Increasing fixtures could also be achieved by revamping the League Cup, replacing the group stage with a more thrilling knockout format.

Yet, expansion raises significant concerns about player depth and quality. The Football Association (FA), clubs, and the league must evaluate whether there are enough top-level players to support 32 fully professional teams. UEFA’s recent endorsement of six professional women’s leagues in Europe will add further competition for talent.

Challenges to Expansion: Academy Investment and Recruitment Restrictions

Two major barriers to a successful expansion are underfunded academies and restrictive overseas player regulations. The FA’s tighter criteria for foreign signings aims to protect opportunities for English talent, but it also prevents clubs from recruiting top young international players, making it harder to build competitive squads. Expanding the league without addressing this issue could limit the quality of play and entertainment for fans.

Suspending Relegation: A Risk to Competition and Fan Engagement

The most controversial aspect of the proposal is freezing relegation from the WSL for at least four years, which has triggered backlash for contradicting the core principles of English football’s pyramid system. Competition thrives on winners and losers, yet this proposal would remove the risk of failure, potentially fostering complacency and mediocrity among clubs.

Proponents argue that suspending relegation would encourage investment and make the WSL more competitive, especially as the current top four dominate the league. However, if this change is not accompanied by mandatory investment criteria—such as minimum player salaries, academy development, improved stadium facilities, and better marketing—it could backfire, making the league stagnant rather than progressive.

Impact on Fan Interest and Match Excitement

One of the biggest concerns is the effect on fan engagement. Globally, top women’s leagues are exploring competition formats that maximize excitement and unpredictability. Removing relegation risks making many WSL fixtures irrelevant, with mid-table and lower-ranked teams having little to play for.

While title races and Women’s Champions League qualification battles would still be exciting, the majority of teams wouldn’t be in contention, resulting in meaningless games with low attendance and viewership. A match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, for instance, would lose significance if relegation were not on the line. Research shows that games without stakes attract the lowest crowds, which could ultimately harm the league’s growth and commercial appeal.

Finding the Right Balance: More Promotion and a Playoff System

Before implementing structural changes, the FA board will need to approve any modifications to the promotion and relegation system. The FA must prioritize the interests of the entire women’s game, rather than just the 32 clubs involved.

A better alternative to freezing relegation would be to increase movement between the WSL and Championship, particularly as both divisions expand. A promotion playoff format—involving teams finishing second to fifth in the Championship—could create drama and excitement, keeping fans engaged until the final matchday.

Fan Consultation is Crucial

Ensuring supporters are involved in shaping the league’s future is essential. The Football Supporters’ Association and fan clubs should play a key role in discussions to guarantee that changes enhance competitiveness rather than diminish it.

If jeopardy and unpredictability are truly at the heart of the WSL’s future, the league must consider solutions that keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season.

"Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro: ‘I Like United, But They Always Seem to Have Bad Luck’"

Alex Remiro: From Childhood Goalkeeping Dreams to Real Sociedad’s European Success

Some memories stay vivid, even in the smallest details. Alex Remiro may not recall the brand, but he still remembers the color, the style, and how much he admired them—his friend's brand-new, grey goalkeeper gloves. “As a kid, you became a goalkeeper because you idolized Iker Casillas, because you were the tallest, or simply because no one else wanted to do it,” he recalls. But for Remiro, it all started in Cascante, Navarre, when he saw those gloves and asked to have a go in goal. From that moment on, he never looked back.

Now, he is a European champion with Spain and a Copa del Rey winner with Real Sociedad, securing the club’s first trophy in 34 years. However, that victory came under unusual circumstances—a year late due to the pandemic, celebrated in an empty stadium, with only one family member per player allowed to attend. Despite that bittersweet moment, Remiro has emerged as La Liga’s top goalkeeper this season, keeping more clean sheets than anyone else. And in his eyes, Manchester United, Sociedad’s opponent on Thursday, played a key role in shaping their journey.

Learning from Defeat Against Manchester United

Over the years, Remiro has learned valuable lessons, and now he shares his knowledge through a mental health project designed to guide young players and their parents. His journey hasn’t always been smooth. After joining Athletic Club at 14, he endured a tough loan spell at Levante, where he struggled mentally, before finding form at Huesca. At 23, on the brink of making his debut for Athletic, he was given an ultimatum: sign a contract extension or be sidelined. Standing firm, he sat out an entire season before making a bold move to rival club Real Sociedad.

One defining moment in his Sociedad career came during a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in 2021, played in Turin during the pandemic. “That game changed everything,” he says. Watching Arsenal demolish PSV 7-0 the night before, with two of his former teammates scoring, brings a smile. “I had the Madrid derby on the TV and Arsenal’s game on the iPad, watching Mikel Merino—playing as a forward! It’s not normal, but we weren’t that surprised. He’s strong, intelligent, and has great movement. His father was a striker, and it shows.”

Looking back at that heavy loss to United, Remiro admits, “They completely overran us. The gap between us and them was huge. We competed in terms of possession, but physically, they were superior in every aspect. It finished 4-0, but it could have easily been seven or eight. We were awful. Watching them play, we thought: ‘Wow, this is another level.’”

Adapting to European Football’s Physical Demands

That painful lesson led to a shift in Sociedad’s approach. “We started focusing more on physical duels. Football is becoming more physical, and that night made it clear that we had to adapt if we wanted to compete in Europe,” he explains. Since then, Sociedad has increased their focus on strength training and speed work, something that even impacted him as a goalkeeper.

“I weigh 84.5 kilos now—back then, I was 81, and when I first joined Sociedad, I was only 78.”

Following Manchester United’s Struggles

Remiro still keeps an eye on Manchester United, both professionally and out of personal interest. “I like watching them. I feel like what’s happening to them is similar to what happens to us sometimes. They have incredible players, but they can’t quite find the right formula to return to the top. Maybe they just need a strong winning streak of five, six, seven games, but something always seems to go wrong.”

He also admired David de Gea, calling him one of his idols. “I’ve watched all of his videos—every single one. I loved his reflexes and instinctive style. I didn’t understand why he left United the way he did. He was their best player, and then suddenly, he was out of the picture.”

Another player Remiro greatly respects is David Silva, who joined Sociedad late in his career. “That completely blew my mind. What a player. Pure magic. As good as Xavi or Iniesta, if not better in some ways. People thought he was too old when he came here, but no—he was the most competitive in training, the smartest player on the pitch.”

Comparing the Premier League and La Liga

When asked about the differences between English and Spanish football, Remiro highlights the Premier League’s fast-paced, open style. “Football is more exciting there—more attacking, with more chances. Matches are more unpredictable.”

Surprisingly, he also prefers the way goalkeepers are treated in England. “In La Liga, referees protect goalkeepers too much. They give fouls for things that shouldn’t be fouls. I think we need more contact, more physical battles. Not as extreme as Ben White’s challenge on Vicario, haha! But something in between.”