Itoje and Smith Downplay On-Field Dispute as England Prepare for France Clash

Paris, France – England fly-half Fin Smith and captain Maro Itoje have dismissed their on-field disagreement during the recent defeat against Italy as a natural part of the game, emphasizing the strong relationship between the two players. The incident, captured by the referee’s microphone, involved Itoje instructing Smith to “don’t argue with me, take the three” when debating whether to kick for goal or the corner.

A Running Gag in Camp

Smith described the exchange as a “good thing” and stated that it has become a running joke within the England camp as they prepare for their final Six Nations match against France on Saturday. He jokingly suggested that their disagreements might be settled physically in the future, stating, “I told him if he shouts at me like that again, I’m going to punch him!”

Itoje: A Sign of Healthy Debate

Itoje echoed Smith’s sentiment, downplaying the incident as a normal part of the game. He laughed off suggestions that his raised voice indicated a loss of temper, stating, “I didn’t really lose it! You don’t often see me with a mic. I’m not always mic’d up but maybe I’m portraying a false image.” He emphasized the importance of open communication within the team, adding, “It’s a good thing that people in the team feel they can express a view, and in sport, if anything, that’s the most kosher of fallouts that the world has ever seen. We have had far more blunt conversations between ourselves and other team-mates.”

England’s Struggles in the Six Nations

The incident occurred during a challenging Six Nations campaign for England, who have suffered three successive defeats. A loss against France would result in England finishing with only one win in the tournament for the first time since the competition expanded in 2000. Historically, England has only experienced four losses in a single Six Nations championship twice before, in 1972 and 1976.

Looking Ahead to France

Smith, who started his first England match in a victory against France last year, acknowledged the unfamiliar position the team finds itself in. The match against France is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th, 20:10 GMT at the Stade de France in Paris, with live commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

England XV vs. France: Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Underhill, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M. Smith.