Smith was an early substitute and provided a big tackle, a try and a hitch-kick to inspire victory over Italy

The second half was barely a minute old. If you couldn’t see the scoreboard you could tell by those swathes of empty seats. It was a hot day after all and refreshments were still being swilled. Italy were not bothered, however. They were on the attack, parked in England’s 22 and when the fly-half Paolo Garbisi found the outside, a try, and with it the lead, looked a certainty.

The ball was flung wide to Italy’s left-wing Matt Gallagher, who stepped inside off his left foot. The step was read by Marcus Smith, who threw every one of his 82kg behind the tackle. Gallagher was stopped, Italy’s momentum was lost and, soon after, England escaped with a penalty awarded at the breakdown.