From BBC Sport · · 1m 40s
Prem talking points: Smith, Russell and Chessum
Marcus Smith eyes Australia start after injury scare; Chessum scores for Leicester; Russell's tackle sparks debate.
In brief
Marcus Smith eyes Australia start after injury scare; Chessum scores for Leicester; Russell's tackle sparks debate. Marcus Smith starts against Australia after Fin Smith's injury; Ollie Chessum scores for Leicester; Finn Russell's tackle on George Ford draws criticism. Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Marcus Smith's England return
Marcus Smith last started for England at fly-half 21 months ago after a Six Nations opening round defeat by Ireland.
“it is 21 months since marcus smith last started a match at fly-half for england”
Smith's role shift
Head coach Steve Borthwick prefers Smith as a full-back or versatile replacement after his preferred role as fly-half faltered.
“head coach steve b”
Smith's recent form
Smith helped Harlequins win against Exeter with two tries and key game management after being key to their recent revival.
“his clever support line helped set up a try for cadan murley inside two minutes of saturday's win over exeter”
Smith's Australia start
Smith is the form fly-half pick to start against Australia after Fin Smith's calf injury.
“with first-choice fin smith a major doubt after sustaining a calf injury, marcus smith is the form fly-half pick to start against australia on sunday”
Leicester's top position
Leicester sits top of the table with a 100% record after a 40-38 defeat by Saracens in the opening round.
“leicester could easily be sitting pretty, not only at the top of the table, but also with a 100% record”
Chessum's return
Ollie Chessum returned late to the Prem campaign after a foot injury kept him out until last weekend's win over Northampton.
“a foot injury kept him out until last weekend's win over northampton”
Chessum's performance
Chessum charged down scrum-half Harry Randall in the opening two minutes and secured turnovers for Leicester.
“he charged down scrum-half harry randall in the opening two minutes, wrecking the hosts' line-out”
Russell's tackle incident
Finn Russell bumped George Ford to the floor with a shoulder to the chest and dropped the ball on Ford's head after a penalty.
“russell gathered george ford's chip ahead and, as the referee's whistle blew for a penalty for the visitors, bumped the chasing sale fly-half to the floor with a shoulder to the chest”
Russell's controversy
Russell's tackle on Ford drew criticism after a melee ensued but he escaped censure from referee Anthony Woodthorpe.
“referee anthony woodthorpe could have punished russell with a penalty for breaching the spirit of sportsmanship”
Leicester's contract
Chessum signed a new contract last week after a performance that vindicated his value to Leicester.
“it was a performance to vindicate a bumper new contract, announced last week”
The bottom line
Marcus Smith starts against Australia after Fin Smith's injury; Ollie Chessum scores for Leicester; Finn Russell's tackle on George Ford draws criticism.
