Marcus Smith strides back onto the Gallagher PREM stage this Sunday, no longer the rugby utility man but a determined specialist fly-half. His return is timed for Harlequins' high-stakes London derby against Saracens at the Stoop, marking a pivotal moment for a player intent on reclaiming his prominence in English rugby.
Having lost his England fly-half jersey to Fin Smith in the previous Six Nations and shuffled around positions, even sitting out as a starter during the Lions' tour in Australia, Smith is under the spotlight. His versatility, while valuable, has been a double-edged sword. "Marcus’ versatility is brilliant for getting him involved in match day squads, and he’ll benefit from that," observed Dan Biggar, the 2021 Lions' starting fly-half.
"But for whatever reason that versatility probably doesn’t help him nail down one position. I think he’s an amazing talent,"
Biggar added, underscoring the challenge Smith faces.
Despite the external skepticism, including a panel of experts leaning towards George Ford or Fin Smith for England's autumn fly-half, inside the Quins camp, the belief in Marcus Smith's specialization is unwavering. Toby Booth, recently appointed as Quins' forwards consultant, revealed Smith's focused ambition. "I don’t think Marcus is looking to fit in [as a jack of all trades]," Booth explained.
"He’s looking to stake a claim. Marcus is an unbelievable talent and his talent has got him a long way,"
he stated, pointing out Smith's dedication to mastering his role as a fly-half.
At 26, Smith is not only a seasoned player with 44 caps but also the most experienced in the Quins lineup against Saracens, with 178 appearances. His presence is a boost for a team that has started the season with two losses, placing them ninth out of ten. Quins' coach Jason Gilmore didn't mince words about Smith's influence. "He’s our quarterback," Gilmore said, likening Smith's impact to that of rugby great Quade Cooper. "Just the energy and the confidence he brings to the other guys."
With England coach Steve Borthwick set to announce his squad for the November Tests soon, the next three club games could be crucial for Smith to make his case. As the clock ticks, Marcus Smith's journey back to his preferred number 10 jersey will be one to watch, potentially reshaping his career trajectory.
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Marcus Smith strides back onto the Gallagher PREM stage this Sunday, no longer the rugby utility man but a determined specialist fly-half. His return is timed for Harlequins' high-stakes London derby against Saracens at the Stoop, marking a pivotal moment for a player intent on reclaiming his prominence in English rugby.
Having lost his England fly-half jersey to Fin Smith in the previous Six Nations and shuffled around positions, even sitting out as a starter during the Lions' tour in Australia, Smith is under the spotlight. His versatility, while valuable, has been a double-edged sword. "Marcus’ versatility is brilliant for getting him involved in match day squads, and he’ll benefit from that," observed Dan Biggar, the 2021 Lions' starting fly-half.
"But for whatever reason that versatility probably doesn’t help him nail down one position. I think he’s an amazing talent,"
Biggar added, underscoring the challenge Smith faces.Despite the external skepticism, including a panel of experts leaning towards George Ford or Fin Smith for England's autumn fly-half, inside the Quins camp, the belief in Marcus Smith's specialization is unwavering. Toby Booth, recently appointed as Quins' forwards consultant, revealed Smith's focused ambition. "I don’t think Marcus is looking to fit in [as a jack of all trades]," Booth explained.
"He’s looking to stake a claim. Marcus is an unbelievable talent and his talent has got him a long way,"
he stated, pointing out Smith's dedication to mastering his role as a fly-half.At 26, Smith is not only a seasoned player with 44 caps but also the most experienced in the Quins lineup against Saracens, with 178 appearances. His presence is a boost for a team that has started the season with two losses, placing them ninth out of ten. Quins' coach Jason Gilmore didn't mince words about Smith's influence. "He’s our quarterback," Gilmore said, likening Smith's impact to that of rugby great Quade Cooper. "Just the energy and the confidence he brings to the other guys."
With England coach Steve Borthwick set to announce his squad for the November Tests soon, the next three club games could be crucial for Smith to make his case. As the clock ticks, Marcus Smith's journey back to his preferred number 10 jersey will be one to watch, potentially reshaping his career trajectory.