Marcus Smith admits his England career has brought its share of “sleepless nights”, but the Harlequins playmaker says he is proud of the commitment and versatility he has shown while adapting to an evolving role under Steve Borthwick.
Smith won his 50th cap in the final match of the Six Nations against France and remains part of Borthwick’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Seemingly destined from 2022 to act as England’s fly-half for the foreseeable future, Smith was instead converted to full-back and has since been remoulded as a bench option who covers both positions.
At different stages Borthwick has turned to Owen Farrell, George Ford and Fin Smith to pilot the team, with Smith’s peak in the number 10 jersey coming during the 2024 autumn series when he set Allianz Stadium alight with his fearless attacking play.
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Highs and lows
It is not quite the trajectory scripted for a generational talent tipped by Lions head coach Warren Gatland in 2021 to become a “superstar in the game”, but he has learned to embrace the highs and lows.
“After the France game I took some time to reflect,” Smith said. “It feels like I’ve been here for a long time.
“I’m only 27 but a lot of the youngsters coming through are 21 to 23.
“Over the 50 times I’ve played for England I haven’t been perfect, but I hope people see I’ve delivered maximum effort and commitment to helping the team win.
“That’s something I’m extremely proud of.
“I’m also extremely proud of the versatility I’ve shown over the second 25 games. It hasn’t been super easy, but when you get the opportunity to play for England… wherever I’d been asked to play, I play.”
PICTURE: Andrew Matthews/PA
Reality
Facing South Africa at Ellis Park on July is England’s first assignment and Smith believes that only by playing aggressively and with intent can the back-to-back champions be toppled.
Key to that is playing without inhibition and Smith is occasionally tormented by errors made as a result of not being bold.
“The reason we all practice so hard is to showcase it in the biggest of moments and the frustration that I sometimes have whenever I do go within myself for whatever reason, is why the hell did I not do it?” he said.
“I’ve been practising it for years on end, why didn’t I do it? Sadly, that’s the reality of elite sport.
“I’ve had sleepless nights after games where you’re like ‘f****** h***, Marcus, why didn’t you kick it? Why didn’t you pass it?’.”
Wound me up
He added: “Probably the last time was in Dunedin (against New Zealand in 2024). I wish I’d kicked my goals.
“I’d kicked well all week, for whatever reason that day didn’t happen.
“Ireland away in the 2025 Six Nations, we were winning and down the right side I kicked the ball when I had a five v three.
“Field position was 40 metres from our line and when I was 14 if I saw that I’m running every single day of the week.
“Another week, I run that. That wound me up for a while.”
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