Marcus Smith compared to Wallabies legend ahead of derby return

Marcus Smith will return for Harlequins against Saracens on Sunday, billed as the Prem’s nearest equivalent to Quade Cooper.

Smith has cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines on enforced stand-down after the British and Irish Lions tour, as Quins have opened up with successive defeats.

But Harlequins’ boss Jason Gilmore has confirmed the 26-year-old will be back in business in the London derby as he pulls the No.10 jersey back on in what is a much-needed shot in the arm for the club.

“It’s huge for us,” said the Australian. “He’s our quarterback. He’s our guy. He’s a British Lion. He loves playing for Quins. He loves playing at the Stoop.

“Just the energy and the confidence that he brings to the other boys. When you sit in the dressing room and Smithy’s in there, you definitely get a boost.

“I coached Quade Cooper at the Reds, and I think they’re both very similar. Some people call them mavericks, but they’ve just got that genuine point of difference. They see the game quicker than others.

“They’ve got a great skillset but they’ve also got such a good running game as well. Smithy’s speed across ten metres is just as quick as their outside backs.

“I think there’s a lot of comparisons between Quade and Marcus.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

16

23

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

“We’re in the entertainment business and when you’re up against football or rugby league, that sort of thing, people want to be entertained. There’s nothing better than seeing The Stoop bouncing and Smithy in the middle of it.”

Gilmore predicts that English rugby will see an improved version of Smith this season, having absorbed the lessons from what was, personally, a mixed Lions tour.

While Smith featured off the bench in the first Test, he lost his place for the remaining two Tests.

“He’s brought some really good learnings back from the Lions,” said Gilmore. “You can see a lot more maturity in his off-field preparation. His video work and his getting ready for sessions, I certainly think that’s been improved and I think that’s purely a case of the people that he spent three months with at the Lions.

“He hasn’t played in a while. It’ll probably take him two or three weeks just to get his own rhythm and get his combination with the boys back again. So we just let Smithy be himself and the other boys have to play their role to help him as well.

“But he’s like a fly in a bottle. He’s probably wanted to play the last few weeks, so he’s been bouncing around at training. He’s as keen as mustard.”

Gilmore confirmed that Smith will be used exclusively as a fly-half by Quins, whatever Steve Borthwick’s thoughts are on him as a full-back.

“He has obviously got bounced positionally a little bit at 10 and 15 and we’re reflected back on that at Quins – whether we could put Jarrod (Evans) to 10 and Marcus to 15, whether that was the best option,” said Gilmore.

“But we made the decision at the end of last year that Smithy is our 10, so we don’t want to be bouncing him. We want to support him as best we can so he can play well for club, but also put his best foot forward for England as well.”

Harlequins are also set to be boosted this weekend by the return of England wing Cadan Murley, who missed last week’s game at Leicester.