Lancaster: The Russell-like threat Racing face versus Marcus Smith
Former England boss Stuart Lancaster has given his verdict on the threat posed on Sunday to Top 14 leaders Racing 92 when they entertain Marcus Smith in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup.
Smith’s Harlequins are in Paris nine days after they smashed Gallagher Premiership leaders Sale in London and Lancaster, who is six months into his new role at Racing after seven years assisting Leinster, knows his French team have their work cut out to curb the influence of the visiting out-half.
Asked what challenges Smith will present to Racing, Lancaster quipped: “A lot, a lot because he has got good footwork, has got very good vision, has got a great kicking game and he is quick.
“When you look at the try he created against Sale, it was a split-second moment and suddenly he is through the line and it’s an offload and it’s a try, so he has multiple threats.
“The pace, the footwork, the ability to scan and see space sets him apart. It’s a bit like when you are trying to set up your defence against Finn Russell, who is similar in that regard in the way he has got the ability to take on the line.
“Sometimes he will play behind the line, sometimes he will take on the line – you don’t know exactly when it is going to happen so you have got to make sure defensively, without giving away the Racing game plan for Marcus Smith, you are aware to not give him what he wants.
“He wants to see opportunities, good spaces that he can attack, but it’s easier said than done because he is very, very good at changing direction and taking opportunities, so defence for us will be key, staying connected in defence, making sure we don’t offer easy outs to him. At the Arena, that will be easier said than done, but we will give it a crack.”
Racing have won six of their nine Top 14 matches this season under Lancaster. Four of those victories have come at home but the ex-England 2015 Rugby World Cup head coach knows Harlequins won’t be daunted by their trip to Paris as they came within a whisker of getting a result there just last January when the teams last met in a match that finished 30-29.
“Harlequins played Racing twice last year; one was at The Stoop in the pouring rain, and the second one at the Paris La Defense Arena and it came down to the wire. Racing ended with 13 players and just hanging on.
“Knowing all the coaches and most of the players at Harlequins, they will be absolutely relishing the chance to come and play in a stadium where there is no wind and no rain guaranteed.
“Racing play a similar style of rugby so pitching two attack-minded teams together, you couldn’t wish for a better fixture. Danny Wilson is doing a great job (at Harlequins). I know Danny pretty well and you could see his influence in the Sale game, how they managed the game in difficult conditions, beat a very good team convincingly.
“I have been impressed with them this season every time I have watched them. The key players like Danny (Care), Marcus Smith, (Alex) Dombrandt, (Andre) Esterhuizen, the back three are all playing well. The front row is strong, Joe Launchbury has added his experience and value.
“Across the board, they have got my full respect, where they always would have done, but I have made sure the players understand – and they know that from last year anyway. Racing are keen to do well. I played against Racing last year with Leinster in the pool stages, so they are motivated but very respectful of the challenge Quins will throw.
“They have still got that DNA inside them and a pairing of half-backs that just want to play rugby. Quins, on their attacking day, are as good as any team in the Premiership, for sure. Racing need to be at their best, and at our best defensively. We need to make sure that we are on point defensively because it’s no good scoring four (tries) and conceding four.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments