Eddie Jones admits withholding Lions-call news from Marcus Smith
Eddie Jones has told Marcus Smith to ignore the hype and put in the hard graft to build a lasting Test career with England.
Smith capped a month of mayhem by earning a British and Irish Lions call-up midway through spearheading England’s 70-14 rout of Canada at Twickenham.
The 22-year-old was the last person in west London to learn of his call-up, finding out when leaving the field with 15 minutes to play on Saturday.
Smith has jumped from Harlequins’ shock Gallagher Premiership title victory to his maiden two England caps – and has now flown out to South Africa to join the Lions.
Head coach Jones hailed Smith’s productive fortnight in England colours, then mapped out his route to the game’s very summit.
“He’s got all the attributes to be a very good 10 at Test level, but now it’s about whether he can develop his game, keep working hard and keep his feet on the ground,” said Jones.
“He’s got a very good attitude and great desire to keep working. If he doesn’t believe everything that’s written about him he’ll be alright.
“He’s coachable. He’s got good fundamental skills – he can catch square, pass accurately, he’s got a reasonable kicking game and his goal-kicking as we saw today is first class.”
Jamie Blamire and Adam Radwan bagged hat-tricks, with Joe Cokanasiga claiming a brace and Ellis Genge also crossing in addition to a penalty try in England’s hefty win over Canada.
Emotional reaction after he learned he will be going to South Africa for the Lions and not heading to Wembley as planned to watch the England footballers in the Euro 2020 final #LionsRugby #ENGvCANhttps://t.co/r1oh60I7VM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 10, 2021
Ross Braude and Kainoa Lloyd claimed tries for the outclassed Canadians, with England improving on last weekend’s 43-29 win over the USA.
Smith shot a perfect nine from nine attempts at goal to add to a virtuoso attacking display that underscored his vast array of talents.
The livewire playmaker became England’s 13th Lions tourist midway through the Canada encounter and has even had to forego a ticket for Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.
Jones admitted to being impressed by Smith’s abilities but insisted he must now match his talent with hard work in order to carve out an extended Test career.
'I genuinely believe this is something that is going to help change the game'
After Paul Gustard left, a new technology radically altered how @Harlequins trained. @heagneyl ??? talks to @RichardLanc of @PROTECHTPro https://t.co/R2k48UfIJB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2021
“If it was easy every talented kid would do it – as we saw with Dan Carter, he was at his best at 35 at the 2015 World Cup, so he’s still got a long way to go at 22,” said Jones.
“There is a lot of development to go in his game – but we are certainly pleased with what we saw.
“We got info last night that he was going. We felt in the best interest that we were going to inform him after the game but our best laid plans got shot apart a bit.
“We’re pleased for him, it’s a great learning opportunity for him, he’ll play with some good players against some good teams in South Africa. It will aid his education process and speed it up a bit.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
20 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
3 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
20 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
20 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
20 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
20 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments