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Fit-again Smith named for Six Nations dress rehearsal versus Russell
England out-half Marcus Smith is set to play his first rugby in seven weeks after being chosen to start for Harlequins this Sunday at Racing 92, the day before new Test-level boss Steve Borthwick names his Guinness Six Nations squad. The half-back limped off injured at Twickenham in the November 26 England defeat versus the Springboks, Eddie Jones’ last match in charge before his dismissal.
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Smith has since taken his time to mend, but his return to action will be very timely given that his rivals for the No10 England jersey, Owen Farrell and George Ford, are both currently sidelined through respective suspension and injury issues.
Farrell was banned in midweek for last weekend’s foul play tackle for Saracens versus Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership while Ford has yet to debut for Sale following his Twickenham injury with Leicester in last June’s league final.
With Farrell having copped a four-game ban (that can be reduced to three if he successfully completes tackle school to free him to face the Scots) and Ford’s potential return-to-play date for the Sharks being January 27, eight days before England are due to open their latest campaign at home to Scotland, the return of Smith with Harlequins is a major boost for Borthwick in a week in which Nick Evans, Smith’s club coach, was named attack coach for the Six Nations.
Smith has been included in a Harlequins XV that will also have the recently suspended Joe Marler starting. The loosehead, who is also looking for England squad selection, was banned for two matches for his December 27 verbal attack on Bristol’s Jake Heenan.
Smith’s appearance versus Racing will potentially be a Six Nations dress rehearsal as his opposite number in the Champions Cup round three match is Scotland’s Finn Russell. Harlequins boss Tabai Matson said: “It’s great to welcome back so many players to the matchday squad after spells away from the team.
“Our club captain Stephan Lewies and Aaron Morris, in particular, have had to display plenty of patience in their returns to fitness and have worked incredibly hard to get back for this match. It’s a huge boost to also welcome Marcus Smith and Will Evans back this week. They are two guys that make a huge difference when they are on the pitch.”
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RACING 92: 15. Warrick Gelant; 14. Donovan Taofifenua, 13. Francis Saili, 12. Gael Fickou (capt), 11. Juan Imhoff; 10. Finn Russell, 9. Nolann Le Garrec; 1. Guram Gogichashvili, 2. Camille Chat, 3. Cedate Gomes Sa, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Boris Palu, 6. Ibrahim Diallo, 7. Baptiste Chouzenoux, 8. Maxime Baudonne. Reps: 16. Peniami Narisia, 17. Eddy Ben Arous, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Anthime Hemery, 20. Kitione Kamikamica, 21. Antoine Gibert, 22. Olivier Klemenczak, 23. Max Spring.
HARLEQUINS: 15. Nick David; 14. Cadan Murley, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Aaron Morris; 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Stephan Lewies, 5. Irne Herbst, 6. Luke Wallace, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt (capt). Reps: 16. George Head, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Simon Kerrod, 19. George Hammond, 20. Tom Lawday, 21. Lewis Gjaltema, 22. Oscar Beard 23. Will Edwards.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments