marcus eaton tour

Marcus Eaton Verified

Concerts and tour dates, live photos of marcus eaton, fan reviews.

Fans Also Follow

About marcus eaton.

Tuesday’s Gone: Stevie Ray Vaughan Proves Flawless On Underrated Gem “Change It” (Live 1985)

Deer Tick Announces New EP ‘Contractual Obligations,’ Shares “Sacrosanct”

LISTEN: Kwolek’s “Some Evenings” Touches The Soul While Exploring The Depths of Rock

LISTEN: Beau Lucas Creates Hypnotic Psychedelic Rock On “My Racing Thoughts”

Karen Haglof’s New LP ‘One Hand Up’ Is a Wild Multi-Genre Ride (INTERVIEW)

RJD2 Details New Album ‘Visions Out Of Limelight,’ His Twenty-Plus Year Career & Starting His Own Label (INTERVIEW)

Blvck Hippie’s Josh Shaw Talks New Album ‘Basketball Camp, Memphis Past & Defying Musical Expectations (INTERVIEW)

Retro Popster Late Slip’s Chelsea Nenni Finds The Fun In Turning Rage Into Art For ‘I Love You’ (ALBUM PREMIERE/INTERVIEW)

Album Reviews

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore Ride Mighty Again on Kickin’ & Bluesy ‘Texicali’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Show Reviews

The Decemberists Celebrate Release of ‘As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again’ with Sold-out Portland, OR Performance (SHOW REVIEW)

Television & Film

Music World Gives Payback To An Overlooked Legend On ‘Lee Fields: Faithful Man’ (FILM REVIEW)

DVD Reviews

1982’s ‘Around The World’ Covers The Police On Their First World Tour (DVD REVIEW)

Other Reviews

Kathleen Hanna Shares Deep and Introspective Stories in Memoir ‘Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk’ (BOOK REVIEW)

Film Reviews

‘Licorice Pizza’ Can’t Carry Weight Of Its Parts (FILM REVIEW)

‘Loki’ Gives Us Loki vs. Loki in Episode 3 (TV REVIEW)

All the Movie Trailers from Super Bowl LIV

Commentary Tracks

2021 Holiday Movie Preview: ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ ‘The Power of The Dog,’ ‘House of Gucci’ & More

52 Years Ago Today- Pigpen Plays His Last Show With Grateful Dead

VIDEO PREMIERE: Little Feat Lay Down Serious Blues-soul Chops on “Milkman”

Peter Rowan Enchants Portland, OR With Timeless Tunes (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

John Fred Young Of Black Stone Cherry Serves Up Another Round of Candid Hard Rock Insights (INTERVIEW)

CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: The Decemberists, NxWorries, Blvck Hippie, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Oliver Wood & More

Vinyl Lives

Portland’s Record Pub Serves Up Vinyl, Brews & Weekly Gatherings (VINYL LIVES)

These Walls

Richmond, Virginia’s The Camel Keeps It Artist-Driven & Creatively Spirited (These Walls)

Saxophonist John Helliwell (Formerly Of Supertramp) On A Life Of Jazz After Prog-Pop (HEY YOU/INTERVIEW)

On The Map: Inside The Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Big House’ In Macon, GA

Vintage Stash

The Replacements’ ‘Tim’ Let It Bleed Edition Proves Worth As Discerning & Durable Retrospective

TIME OUT TAKE FIVE: Falkner Evans, Franco Ambrosetti, Jan Hammer & More

SONG PREMIERE: Greg Copeland Sprawls Out with Feedback-laced Social Commentary on “We the Gathered”

VIDEO PREMIERE: Islands Inject Garage Rock Fervor Into Energetic “Boll Weevil”

SONG PREMIERE: Soft Self Portraits Crafts Dreamy Indie Pop Sound with “Departures”

• April 20, 2011

Marcus Eaton Stages West Coast Spring Tour

When singer-songwriter Marcus Eaton was asked to play and co-write on forthcoming album with Rock And Roll Hall of Famer, David Crosby , it was not a big surprise. Thanks to a strange turn of luck, Crosby has been a long-time influence and fan of the powerhouse performer from Boise, ID. Just one of many auspicious experiences dotting Eaton’s career things are looking bright for the young performer who is taking his trio on the road for a short national tour this spring.

Known for a clear and inviting voice coupled with dazzling guitar work, Eaton and his band will be making stops in a number of key cities in support of his latest independent release As if You Had Wings (Feb, 2011) available exclusively on his website and at shows. One of five albums bearing Eaton’s name, the latest release has received rave reviews with its radio-ready format and brilliant pop-friendly appeal. The band, also featuring bassist Ben Burleigh and powerhouse drummer Kevin Rogers will be playing a number of opening slots with Tim Reynolds TR3 along with a number of headlining slots booked along the way.

In just a few short years, the band who has been likened to such vaunted trios as Cream, Rush and the Police has received lavish praise from music authorities across the board including Crosby, who has courted a 2-year collaborative relationship with Eaton in the making of his latest album, yet to be released . Throughout his career, Eaton has performed at venues vast and intimate including four consecutive years alongside Dave Matthews at the 20,000-capacity Gorge Amphitheatre side stage and on a local level, his CD release party at The Knitting Factory in Boise crammed the concert hall well beyond its official 999-seat capacity.

Eaton and his band will be making rounds all along the West Coast and Mountain States this spring including stops in Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake, Tacoma and Portland and is not to be missed. For more information about Marcus Eaton, or to find out details about his latest tour check out marcuseaton.com

Related Content

Recent posts, new to glide, keep up-to-date with glide.

Email Address*

• Download Shazam
• Radio Spins

Latest Release

More albums from marcus eaton, similar to marcus eaton, shazam footer.

• Help for Apple Devices
• Help for Android Devices
• ShazamKit for Developers
• Privacy Policy
• Manage Your Data

• Graziano Romani
• Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
• Fabio Melis
• Matteo Maione
• Chris Cacavas
• Hernandez & Sampedro
• Daniele Tenca

Marcus Eaton

• Kim Erickson
• Elliott Murphy
• Piero Fabrizi
• Maremma Orchestra
• Orchestraccia
• Carolyne Mas
• Francesco Lucarelli
• Will T. Massey
• Donald and Jen MacNeill
• Marco Conidi
• Create an account
• Forgot your username?
• Forgot your password?

Leggi l'articolo in italiano

Read the article in english.

Recentemente definito da David Crosby "uno dei migliori giovani cantautori e chitarristi acustici americani", Eaton sta ricevendo il plauso internazionale grazie alla sua musica, che ha ridefinito il genere rock acustico.

Testi intelligenti ed appassionanti, melodie complesse ma accessibili e ben memorizzabili, Eaton ha perfezionato una tecnica da virtuoso della chitarra che richiama artisti del livello di Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges e Tommy Emmanuel.

Nato nell’Idaho e figlio del cantautore Steve Eaton, Marcus è cresciuto immerso nella musica. Ha all’attivo alcuni album indipendenti e con major americane ed è presente nell’ultimo album di David Crosby, Croz. Il lavoro di Marcus come solista ha attirato l'attenzione della critica e sviluppando uno stile di chitarra che incorpora elementi diversi – dal flamenco alla rumba, dal jazz-funk al reggae. L’italiana Route 61 Music pubblica in anteprima mondiale, precedendo anche la release americana attesa per il prossimo anno, il nuovo album Versions of the Truth. Al disco collaborano molti ospiti illustri, tra i quali proprio il co-produttore Crosby (voce in tre brani), il bassista Lee Sklar e il tastierista Jeff Young, che oltre a far parte stabilmente della band di Jackson Browne ha lavorato in studio con Sting e Bonnie Raitt e accompagnato in tour gli Steely Dan. Queste presenze danno la misura della qualità ricercata nel suono e negli arrangiamenti da Eaton, validissimo cantante oltre che raffinato chitarrista.

OTTOBRE 2015: VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH

Up And Over / Flying through the fire / Shade prelude / I will be your shade / Better way / Invisible to you / Reverie / Barbie / Picture of us / Sunrise prelude / Sunrise lets you down / The sting / Calm beneath

Recently named by David Crosby as "among the best young American songwriters and acousic guitarists", Eaton is receiving international plaudits to his music which has redefined the acoustic rock genre.

Through bright and passionate lyrics and complex yet accessible and catchy melodies, Eaton has perfected a guitar virtuoso technique conjuring, while adding his own, some Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges and Tommy Emmanuel.

Idaho-born, son of songwriter Steve Eaton, Marcus was raised surrounded by music. He has produced several albums, both independently and with American major labels, and is featured in David Crosby's 2015 "Croz". As a solo artist, he caught the attention of critics by developing a guitar style that incorporates different elements - from flamenco to rhumba, to jazz-funk and reggae. The Italian label Route 61 Music will publish in advance, preceding also the American release which will happen next year, his new album Versions of the Truth. It includes a posse of top names in the industry, from co-producer Crosby (also featured on three songs), bassist Lee Sklar and keyboardist Jeff Young, Jackson Browne band member with Sting and Bonnie Raitt studio and Steely Dan tour experience. These names indicate the quest for high quality sounds and arrangements in Eaton's work, himself a great singer and exquisite guitarist.

OCTOBER 2015: VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH

Discografia.

• 2015 Versions of the truth
• 2010 As if you had wings
• 2010 Live at the Gorge (Marcus Eaton Trio)
• 2006 Story of now
• 2003 The day the world awoke (Marcus Eaton and The Lobby)
• 2002 Marcus Eaton and The Lobby
• 1999 No way out (Marcus Eaton and The Lobby)

Press release (Italiano)

Marcus Eaton YouTube Channel

www.marcuseaton.com/

Iscriviti alla nostra newsletter!

• Cookie Policy

(c) 2020 Route61 Music - P.IVA/C.F. 11844101003

Jam Band Friendly Articles & Interviews with Bands and Artists

Marcus eaton from boise, idaho is on the fast track and rising to the top.

Written by Andrew Tuckman on 03 May 2011 . Posted in Interviews

They are gifted entertainers who have been around the recording process their whole life and wish nothing more than to be on stage full time.  They are poets who can write eloquent songs that last a lifetime.

For Marcus Eaton, the road to success was inevitable. The young star was around music for most of his life, had a father who recorded with some big names and had the good fortune of a recording studio in his home which introduced Eaton to the inner workings of a thriving studio.

Eaton, now 31, knew at an early age that songwriting and playing music was all he wanted to do for his livelihood, career path and profession.

It was just a matter of time before his dreams came true, the doors started opening and producers started noticing this diamond in the ruff.  Originally from a little town in Idaho, Eaton came of age during a time that jam bands were gaining strength in the music scene.  Bands like Dave Mathews, The Spin Doctors and Phish were touring in support of the Horde Tour and Eaton was following the new generation closely.  Instead of playing in high school bands doing cover songs, Eaton was busy writing originals like a gifted natural.  Eaton says, “Growing up around names like The Carpenters, Art Garfunkel and Anne Murray, crafting songs was something you just did.  It was a process that my dad showed me and one that came pretty easily”.

The song Dreams of Flying has that soul based, funk-rock style that grooves and moves with amazingly heartfelt vocals behind it.  In mid song, the tempo changes to a lighter, meandering chorus, but then switches back to that funk driven push. This song is well executed, powerful and professionally done. Other songs on the album could be featured on movie soundtracks or background sound for commercials; proof that Eaton knows what he is doing and can rival other greats out there.

In the last year, Eaton has been on the fast track, touring the states, opening shows for Tim Reynolds and recording with the legendary David Crosby.  Call it “right place at the right time” Eaton has this energy of attracting promoters who want to give him a VIP pass to the next level of success.   But, paying dues and learning the ropes was something that Eaton had to do on his own playing hundreds of shows around the country and developing a loyal fan base one show at a time.  Eaton has definitely put his time in and he is now reaping the benefits.

According to David Crosby in a recent interview for Scene Magazine in Boise, "Marcus Eaton is a brilliant writer. Brilliant musically. Brilliant lyrically. And he just plays (guitar) like God on a good day.”

Eaton and I spoke on the phone while he was on tour in the Pacific Northwest, doing a handful of shows in preparation for a bigger tour in the Northwest with Tim Reynolds.  Eaton isn’t in any rush to conquer the world and has the patience needed to make it in a challenging market.  Good things come to those who wait and Marcus Eaton has waited long enough.  He’s talented, he’s ready and Eaton is willing to do whatever it takes to get his message out to those who want to hear great music.

Interview with Marcus Eaton, Thursday April 21 th

You’ve had a great year Marcus, how did you connect with David Crosby?

I was opening for Tim in Aspen, Colorado and a guy came up to me after the show. He said he enjoyed the performance, bought a cd and we exchanged email addresses.  A couple weeks later, I got a message from him asking if I would come out to Omaha and play his Christmas party. We worked out the details and I found out that this guy Norm Waitt started Gateway Computers.  So, you might say that he is a heavy hitter. 

He became an instant fan of my music and had us out to Omaha to play. I then learned that he has a music label that put out a few David Crosby albums and a band called CPR that David has with his son.  We kept in touch and Norm said he wanted to introduce me to Crosby because he was a good friend and the two of us “had to get together”. We met up in Santa Monica, had dinner and got the chance to hang out.  I have to be honest, I’ve had so many instances where stuff falls through and people say a lot of things that never happen.  So, when I met David I told him we needed to play music sometime.  He told me that it would happen someday and I thought, yeah right, there’s probably a good chance we won’t be able to do it.  Last summer he came through Idaho where I live, sent some emails and had been listening to some of my tracks off the website.  So, I called him to get together while he was in Boise and sure enough we had dinner and got to strum some songs together. He showed me these open tunings that were beautiful and Crosby’s son even came into to the hotel room to watch. They loved it and a couple months later Crosby called and asked if I would play on his new album that was coming out.  I couldn’t believe it and didn’t tell anyone until it actually happened.  I thought that I needed to keep it under wraps until it came to fruition. They sent me two tracks that I played on initially. I played them and didn’t know what to expect, but Crosby liked what was going on and said “I think we should write together”.  Sure enough we did just that and the album has evolved into this amazing collaboration between him, James his son and me.  James is an incredible musician and I look at playing with him as a huge honor and success.  It has been so cool in so many different ways, something that I never expected would happen.  It is really special too when I think about it.

Last night you were in Washington State, how was the gig, what was the energy like and describe the evening?

It was a small turnout, but, the energy was good at a little place called Jazzbones, in Tacoma Washington.  The club owners have never really done anything during the week.  Their main shows are on the weekends during school.  So, they started a Wednesday night performance and I played with only my bassist last night. Normally, we are a three piece band or I play solo.  Ironically, we had an awesome night just the two of us; there was great energy and we got to stretch out.  When I do a solo show it incorporates a lot of looping, so I did a lot of percussion loops with the two of us playing over the top of it.

Congrats on the new album ‘As If You Had Wings’.  What was the process like for that and where was it recorded?

It was done in Boise Idaho and it was a really great album to do.  It was a culmination of writing that I have done for the last four years, starting right after the last album.  We put some songs down including a surprise track called Dreams of Flying that wasn’t supposed to be on there.   I have been playing with a great drummer for three years named Kevin Rogers.  He made the experience so awesome.  The last album was tough on me trying to find the right musicians, actually every aspect of it was challenging.  The studio was difficult to get, we lost some tracks, but this time it went smoothly and I had a great rhythm section.  The guy who mixed it was Mario McNulty who finished it in New York and did an incredible job.  He added a whole new element to the songs.

How is the tour going, are you in the middle or is this a short one before something bigger?

This trip we are doing now is an extrapolated tour throughout the northwest.  We have three more shows here, then off for a week before we head out on the road with Tim Reynolds and TR3 . We start that in Denver after some time off to rehearse and get ready.  We have some great gigs booked with a really fun band.  The bass player is Ben Burleigh with Kevin on drums and we are having so much fun playing music with each other.  Everyone is so talented, quick with coming up to speed on song arrangements and we all jell really well.  I am excited to be playing with Tim Reynolds, he was on the road with Dave Matthews for three years and he hasn’t been doing a lot of TR3 stuff lately.  With Tim getting back out on the road, it’s going to draw some great crowds.  I am so excited to play in front of these audiences who appreciate good music.

Take of us back to high school, what were some of your early bands and where did you come of age?

Well, I grew up in Pocatello Idaho and it was on the east side of the state.  It’s a sleepy little town with Idaho State University right there. My dad is a musician and we grew up on top of this hill out in the middle of nowhere.  We had two television stations so we didn’t watch it in the early years. That helped my brother and I develop our creativity and started playing the guitar when I was 9.  I formed my first band ESP as in Extra Sensory Perception, when I was 16 with a drummer, so we were a duo. That is when I figured out that music was going to be my thing. We wrote our own music and only occasionally did we do cover songs. My dad was a songwriter; he wrote songs for The Carpenters, Art Garfunkel, Anne Murray and had a lot of success with it.  Writing material was never a foreign idea, it just came natural and it’s what we knew.  Sometimes, bands start off playing a lot of cover songs and then eventually they start writing their own material.  For me that’s where I started and feel really lucky to have taken that approach and to have been around it in the family.  I had so many experiences with musicians who would come through my dad’s studio.  He had it set up in the basement and would do a lot of recording so I got to hear it right there in the house.  Through osmosis at a young age, I would learn about art and see some real culture in such a small town.

What were your dreams back then in high school and as a young adult? What was going through your mind musically?

There was a lot of cool stuff going on at the time. We listened to so much music as a kid, but, one of the first albums that was on a lot was Nothing Like the Sun by Sting .  We had a lot of Paul Simon, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.  All of my dad’s music was inspiring. Then I got into Blue’s Traveler, The Spin Doctors and more funky, upbeat music. I remember Dave Matthews came out at the time The Horde Tour was going around the country.  We saw the show on a ski mountain, it was beautiful outside and I said to myself, “I want to be on that kind of stage doing exactly that”.  Those were my goals, even in high school I remember thinking that I could do it right at the time I got hooked on Tim Reynolds.  I heard him play and thought that it would be great to open for him some day.  That was a goal of mine and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to do that.  All I wanted to do was be on big stages with great musicians, so you might say my dreams are already coming true.

The first time you opened for Tim, did you get paired up through your booking agent or was it a right place at the right time occurrence?

I had moved from Pocatello to Boise and we started playing around there. We developed a following pretty quickly and as soon as we did that, we started a relationship with a local promoter because we were pulling 500 people to the show every time we played.  I saw that Tim was coming to town, called the promoter and told him “Tim was one of my guitar heroes and I would really like to be on that bill”.  The guy said “no problem”.  I had Tim’s road manager Fluffy Centner and I traded music with him and said I would love to do this again. I sent him a cd and the next year, he called and said the opener broke his arm, would I like to come to Salt Lake to open for Tim.  Then again in Boise, he said “we should get you on these tours because you and Tim would be great”.  It was a great situation and Tim has always been my musical hero.

I heard a story once about David Crosby 40 years ago pulling up to an intersection and hearing his new hit on the radio. Or maybe it was another musician’s song being played on the top 10 and David was blasting it on the car stereo.  I’m curious in this day and age of multi media, what would be a similar type of success today?

There are so many ways to determine success, and for me having a band that has been signed shows some merit.  But, then our early album lost steam. We had a booking agent and then we lost that. So right now, every little thing is a success instead of that ebb and flow.  Getting involved with the right people and having them help publicize the show is success. This whole Crosby thing is a huge milestone because he is somebody who is a legend, an amazing person and a true mentor.  James his son is an incredible musician and I look at that as a huge success.  The band and the music would be incredible to hear on the radio or on commercials.  We have so many songs that are relevant socially like “Eleven” with a chorus of “ Do you want to change the world ”.  We’d like to find a niche commercially.

On the other side, touring and playing to bigger audiences is something I have always sought after.  Right now keeping the momentum is very important because we do some big shows, but then a night later we play to 20 people in a smaller town.  Consistency is key.

When would you say you first felt that momentum where there was some kind of buzz happening with the public acknowledging you?  Can you pinpoint that?

I have felt it a few times but one in particular comes to mind.  We were in Boise in 2002 and started doing these opening shows. We started pulling hundreds of people and I felt the energy and growth of the band. But, that dissipated for a long time. And now I am feeling that momentum again where I am a more developed artist. As If You Had Wings is my fifth studio album and personally I think life experiences bring so much to the table musically. I have honed my craft and the songs continue to get better as well as the songwriting skills.  Realistically, I feel like I am barely hitting that stride where there is some buzz going on, and have this project with Crosby with the right people and the right band.  That has taken a really long time to accomplish.

How would you describe your style in simplest terms?

I would say something like progressive, singer songwriter, or as I call it, eclectic. I can pick up a guitar and play you the songs by myself, but its way more than that. We have odd time signatures, very syncopated songs and a full sounding band.

It sounds like you have a lot going on, but is there anything missing in your life right now?

No, I feel really fortunate everything has happened in a great way.  Earlier experiences have helped redefine myself and my music to move forward and feel like I have a great balance. I would like to be playing more and to larger audiences, but I have faith that it will come.  This Crosby situation is mind boggling, I feel really fortunate that we’ve connected and he does too.

What ‘s planned for late Spring and this Summer?

This summer we will be finishing the Crosby project, then more touring.  We haven’t really promoted this album and still trying to find a home for it.  We are also talking about a European promotion, where there is someone who has expressed interest in getting the word out about it.  Of course, we have to continue playing as much as we can.

Thank you for your time Marcus, we wish you a lot of luck this year, Jambandfriendly.com supports everything you are doing.

For more of Marcus Eaton check out:   http://www.marcuseaton.com/fr_home.cfm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcus-Eaton/29150334788

" onclick="window.open(this.href,'win2','status=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=yes,titlebar=no,menubar=no,resizable=yes,width=640,height=480,directories=no,location=no'); return false;" rel="nofollow"> Print Email

Where We've Been

Where we've been.

Here's a few places you might have run into us at...

POWER TO THE PEACEFUL FESTIVAL

Golden Gate Park, SF September 10th, 11th and 12th

New Almaden Music Festival

San Jose/New Aladen August 21st

High Sierra Music Festival

Quincy, CA July 1st - 4th See Photos from this event!

Marcus Eaton live in Genoa

da paolo | Ott 12, 2015 | Senza categoria | 0 commenti

MARCUS EATON ITALIAN TOUR – LIVE IN GENOA

“One of the most talented musicians and between the best young American acoustic guitarist. Marcus plays guitar like God on a good day” –  This is how DAVID CROSBY described the acclaimed musician Marcus Eaton.

Route 61 Music published a wordwide preview, in advance with the American release expected for the next year, off the new album “Versions of the Truth” by Marcus Eaton . Exhiting and sharp lyrics, complex melodies but easy to catch, Eaton refines his virtuoso technic by guitar very similar as high level artist such as Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges and Tommy Emmanuel …

FUNKY, JAZZ, ROCK, FOLK.

An extraordinary acoustic guitarist, but also a great songwriter, he has previously collaborated with David Crosby and opened for artists such as Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews. Additionally, Marcus has recently been working on the David Crosby documentary, ‘Remember My Name’, the score of which was released this yea through recording studios and during the long American tour together. Despite Marcus is a solo performer, his technic, the way he plays pedals and loops with his voice, all at once gets engaging shows, thanks also to an eclectic set list for his performance, in addition of covers by Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin,  Beatles, Paul Simon, AC-DC all arranged with a very interesting version.

MARCUS EATON is now getting an international relevance for his music which redefined nowdays the acoustic rock genre.

PARTNER: Tiflis Ristorante Enoteca | for enquiries: +39 340 90 90 147 / +39 392 94 34 118

• Steel Strings
• Sussone Guitars Order Form
• Work in progress

• Live on Sky
• Get Sky Sports
• Sky Mobile Apps
• Kick It Out
• Black Lives Matter
• British South Asians in Football

Rugby Union

Japan vs England: Marcus Smith to start at No 10 as Steve Borthwick makes four changes for tour opener

England are playing Japan on Saturday ahead of two matches against New Zealand in July; Marcus Smith regains England's No 10 shirt in the absence of Owen Farrell and George Ford; Chandler Cunningham-South given first start in back row; Tom Roebuck set for debut from bench

Tuesday 18 June 2024 09:12, UK

Marcus Smith will return to England's starting XV to face Japan on Saturday as Steve Borthwick's side prepare for next month's tour of New Zealand

In the absence of Owen Farrell and George Ford, Smith has been given the opportunity to cement his position as England's fly-half.

The 25-year-old's return is one of four changes to the England team that finished their Six Nations campaign with a narrow defeat to France in March, as Chandler Cunningham-South comes into the side for his first international start.

• Stream rugby's summer internationals in 2024 with a NOW Sports Month Membership
• Northampton clinch first Premiership title for a decade after Bath red
• Dan Carter: England will want to make 'statement' in New Zealand tour

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will start from the right wing in Tokyo as he earns just his fourth cap, taking the place of Elliot Daly, who is missing the tour to attend the birth of his first child.

Bevan Rodd starts at loosehead prop in England's front row in the absence of the injured Ellis Genge.

• Transfer Centre LIVE! Neville: Why keeping Ten Hag is right call
• Man Utd start at home AGAIN! Quirky stats from next season's PL fixtures
• Mbappe's Euros is not over, says France chief
• Man Utd transfer plans analysed: Branthwaite, Simons, Zirkzee
• PL opening weekend fixtures: Man Utd host Fulham on Friday night
• England's Euro 2024 fixtures and route - how far will they go? VOTE!
• Royal Ascot LIVE: 80/1 shot Rashabar grabs Coventry spoils for Loughnane
• Napoli star Kvaratskhelia's future dominates ahead of Turkey-Georgia
• Euro 2024 fixtures, full schedule, groups and venues
• Portugal vs Czech Republic: Martinez hails Ronaldo ahead of sixth Euros
• Latest News

On England's bench, Sale winger Tom Roebuck is set to make his international debut, while Fin Smith provides backup at fly-half.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"We're looking forward to the challenge of playing Japan at their National Stadium," Borthwick said after naming his side on Tuesday, 48 hours earlier than usual.

England homepage

England fixtures

England results

Stream Sky Sports with NOW

"Conditions in Tokyo mean we'll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity in our performance from the first whistle to the last.

"We will need to be at our very best against an opponent who will want to play fast."

Several of England's squad will come up against their former coach Eddie Jones who is starting his second spell in charge of Japan.

Captain Jamie George and vice-captains Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Henry Slade and Joe Marler are just some of the players to have featured heavily under the Australian between 2015 and 2022.

The match will be the first official Test between the two nations to be played in Japan, as England make their way to New Zealand for matches on July 6 and 13, both of which are live on Sky Sports .

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Tom Roebuck.

Stream rugby's summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW

Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and so much more.

Stream the Spanish GP, the T20 World Cup and more

• Upgrade Now

• Skip to Navigation
• Skip to Main Content
• Skip to Related Content
• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard
• Scores/Schedules
• Offseason Preview
• Wemby Watch
• Fantasy Basketball
• In-Season Tournament
• All-Star Game
• Power Rankings
• Fantasy Baseball
• 2024 Schedule
• Scores/Schedule
• Fantasy Football
• Free Agency
• Copa América

• Fantasy Hockey
• How To Watch the 2024 Season
• Paris Games Home
• USA Swimming
• UFC Schedule
• Leaderboard
• Scottie Scheffler Arrest
• Masters Tournament
• PGA Championship
• Tournament Schedule
• French Open
• Australian Open
• Playoff and Bowl Games
• Yahoo Sports AM
• College Sports
• March Madness
• Fantasy Sports
• Sports Betting 101
• Bet Calculator
• Legalization Tracker
• Casino Games
• Kentucky Derby
• Preakness Stakes
• Belmont Stakes
• Ball Don't Lie
• Yahoo Fantasy Football Show
• College Football Enquirer
• Baseball Bar-B-Cast
• Celtics win NBA championship
• Kylian Mbappe suffers broken nose
• Mookie Betts to miss 6-8 weeks
• Rory taking time off from golf
• Latest NBA Mock Draft

Steve Borthwick planned to unleash Marcus Smith at No 10 on this tour - no matter what

It is the most significant selection made by Steve Borthwick since he succeeded Eddie Jones as England head coach. Solving the enigma of Marcus Smith proved beyond the mastery of his predecessor Eddie Jones, but now it seems Borthwick is determined to find the answer of whether the Harlequins player can finally step out of the shadows of Owen Farrell and George Ford and establish himself as England’s No 10.

Even though Fin Smith finished the season with a swagger, guiding Northampton Saints to their first Premiership title since 2014, Borthwick has taken the decision to start the Harlequins player against Japan, which almost certainly would have been the case even if Ford had not been forced to withdraw from the tour with an Achilles injury.

Under the previous regime, Jones couldn’t make his mind up, having first brought Smith into his England squad as an apprentice as an 18 year-old. When he backed him throughout 2022, having dropped Ford and played Farrell at inside centre, by the end of year Jones was out of a job. The Australian recently admitted he had promoted his protege ahead of time.

“I wanted to try to change the style of England, play a more aggressive attacking style with Marcus there,” said Jones. “But it just didn’t fit the team at the time. I could have been more patient, but I had been there for seven years, and I wanted to change quickly in that last period of time.”

There was more than a hint of irony when Borthwick found himself faced with a similar temptation last year, when he replaced Jones just nine months before the start of the World Cup. With little time to build a squad, he opted to start Smith alongside Farrell for his first game in charge, an alarming defeat by Scotland at Twickenham.

Then, having restored Farrell as his starting fly-half, Borthwick made the seismic decision to drop the then England captain for the first time since 2015 and start Smith at 10 for the game against France at Twickenham. For a new coach finding his way in the cauldron of the Six Nations, the decision looked at best high-risk. Yet Borthwick was prepared to use the game to discover if his fly-half would be ready to control a game on his own, to replicate the white hot pressure of a World Cup quarter-final.

England suffered a record 53-10 defeat. Smith wasn’t ready. Neither was the team. It was back to the drawing board. Farrell and Ford would go to France as England’s fly-half options and Smith had to reinvent himself as a full-back to force himself into the match-day 23 on the bench.

Yet when England returned from France, having overachieved by kicking their way to third place at the World Cup, Borthwick knew that his side had to evolve if they were to compete at the highest level.

That would involve an overhaul of their attacking game and Smith was again back to spearhead a new-look England at the start of this year’s Six Nations, following the decision by Farrell to step back from international rugby. Yet even the best-laid plans can become undone by a calf injury and at the 11th hour the Harlequins player was forced to withdraw from the starting XV.

This time Ford seized the moment by starting all five Tests at fly-half, despite Smith returning to the bench for England’s final two games. Smith came on and landed the match-winning drop-goal against Ireland at Twickenham.

Critically though, during his absence England put a new focus on their attacking strategy and intent following a soul-searching meeting following the defeat by Scotland in the rain at Murrayfield.

The manner in which England finished their campaign not only gave their supporters hope that the tide truly had been turned, but also convinced Borthwick that his side now had an identity, having accrued a Test match know-how that was better suited to both accommodate Smith’s innate attacking skills and play a higher tempo game which he could exploit.

Fin Smith looks a tremendous prospect. He has more of a rounded skill set than his namesake and has already revealed a streetwise and resilient edge by inspiring Northampton to a victory in such a rigorous testing ground at Munster’s Thomond Park.

Yet now is the time to find out if Smith senior can finally grab hold of this England team and set the game alight in the manner many hoped he would do when he first burst onto the international stage in 2021, when he found himself fast-tracked onto the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

It is now-or-never. Borthwick needs to back the 25-year-old not just for the remainder of this tour, including the two Tests against New Zealand , but also for the autumn series which includes games against the All Blacks, Australia and South Africa .

There was a time during England’s pomp when they would run through or over their opponents. This squad may not possess the power to do that in today’s game, but what they do have in ample supply is dynamism; players with footwork and pace. And that is where Marcus Smith comes in.

In the pursuit of a high-pace game, Smith has the ability to become England’s game changer. He has the vision to identify space and increase the speed of England’s ball.

The great unknown is whether he can manage a full-blooded Test match. At Harlequins he can get away with a Kevin Keegan-style approach, recalling a time when the former Newcastle United manager would taunt the opposition by saying if they scored three goals, his side would score four. Try that against the All Blacks and you are not coming back.

But Smith’s talent is too great not to give him the chance to succeed now, and with 30 caps already to his name he also brings Test match experience to a side that is still extremely callow in certain areas, not least in a back three of George Furbank, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

If he succeeds, his selection on this tour is likely to be remembered as the red letter moment that defined England’s attacking game for the next four years. If he fails, Fin Smith awaits in the wings. The stakes are that high.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Recommended Stories

Jeff van gundy reportedly joins ty lue's clippers staff as lead assistant.

Jeff Van Gundy hasn't been an NBA coach since 2007.

Yahoo Sports AM: City of champions

In today's edition: Celtics win 18th title, MLB Awards races, Euro 2024 in photos, the NASCAR-ification of college sports, and more.

Olympics: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm lead field of men's golf contenders

Many of golf's biggest names are headed to Paris to compete in the Olympics.

Roy Wood Jr., Harold Reynolds highlight MLB Network's coverage of Rickwood Field Negro Leagues tribute

Major League Baseball will pay tribute to the Negro Leagues this week at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. and analyst Harold Reynolds highlight MLB Network's coverage.

Celtics — led by Jayson Tatum and series MVP Jaylen Brown — dominate Mavericks in Game 5 to secure franchise’s 18th NBA championship

The Celtics are NBA champions for the first time since 2008.

Rory McIlroy laments 'probably the toughest' day of his career at Pinehurst, taking time off ahead of British Open

McIlory congratulated U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau and vowed resilience after a Sunday collapse at Pinehurst.

France's Kylian Mbappé suffers broken nose in Euro win over Austria, reportedly won't have surgery

Mbappé received a yellow card after attempting to return to the field from injury. His status moving forward at the European Championship is unclear.

'Hard Knocks' will follow all 4 AFC North teams for its 2024 in-season edition

For the first time, HBO's "Hard Knocks" NFL docuseries will follow four teams during its in-season edition.

Dodgers expect All-Star Mookie Betts to miss 6-8 weeks with fractured hand

Betts was hit in his hand with a 98 mph fastball on Sunday.

Men's College World Series Day 4: Florida eliminates NC State, big inning puts Texas A&M in semifinals

Day 4 of the 2024 Men's College World Series saw Florida eliminate NC State and Texas A&M move on to the semifinals.

College sports turning into NASCAR & championship winning rosters

On today's episode, Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde react to news of the Big 12 exploring selling their naming rights to a corporate sponsor, discuss a formula for championship winning teams, check in on the College World Series jello shot competition, and hear about producer Joe's insane fantasy football punishment.

Brandon Aiyuk on stalled negotiations with 49ers: 'They don't want me back'

Aiyuk has taken his contract negotiations to TikTok. Where do things stand between him and the 49ers?

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole scheduled for season debut Wednesday vs. Orioles

Cole is back in time to take the mound in an AL East showdown with Baltimore.

Dodgers place Mookie & Yamamoto on IL, umpire suspended & 2024 MLB Draft Combine preview with Nate Tice

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the injures to Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, umpire Pat Hoberg being suspended for gambling and all the other action from baseball this weekend. They also preview the 2024 MLB Draft Combine with Nate Tice.

Shohei Ohtani takes over as NL MVP betting favorite with Mookie Betts out

The MVP favorite spot moved from one Dodger to another.

USMNT Copa América preview: 20 questions answered about players, Berhalter, opponents, expectations and more

The U.S. men’s national team will get its first formidable, official test since the 2022 World Cup at the 2024 Copa América, a stateside soccer extravaganza that begins Thursday and, as U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said, “feels big.”

Men's College World Series: Tennessee trounces North Carolina, Florida State eliminates Virginia

Tennessee is a win away from advancing to the MCWS finals.

Astros pull Ronel Blanco after 7 hitless innings in his bid for historic 2nd no-hitter of the season

Blanco stunned baseball with MLB's first 2024 no-hitter in a spot start then kept the Tigers off the hit column through 94 pitches on Sunday.

Chiefs' Isaiah Buggs arrested again on burglary, domestic violence charges, per Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Office

The arrest is the latest for Buggs, who was charged with animal cruelty in May.

Wings' Arike Ogunbowale withdrew from consideration for U.S. women's Olympic team due to 'politics'

Arike Ogunbowale responded to being left off the USA women's basketball roster for the 2024 Olympics, saying she realizes politics is part of the process.

PEREGRINE FUND