Former Saints and England fly-half Paul Grayson said the ability to overcome early mistakes showed “a sign of an international player”.
“I have watched him a bit and that’s what he is,” Grayson told the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“He’s a good organiser, he is measured, and he will call the right decisions most of the time.
“His open field kicking needs work. He kicked some shockers today.
“But that didn’t define him. He grew into the game, and he got better the longer he was on the pitch.”
In the autumn, England were leading heading into the final stages against Australia and New Zealand but failed to close out both games.
Against Ireland in their opening Six Nations match, Steve Borthwick’s side led 10-5 at half-time but fell away in the final quarter.
Former England scrum-half and World Cup winner Matt Dawson believes the way Fin Smith grabbed the game in final quarter makes him “more of the man” for the 10 shirt going forward.
“Watching other players go up to Fin [after the game], I saw more of the senior players pretend to bow down to him a little bit,” he added.
“That means quite a lot for someone who is 22 years old.
“They obviously appreciate that they’re being managed and looked after on the pitch by the 10.
“Not every fly-half has the ability to do that to the team.”
