Racing trying to tempt Marcus
NANTERRE, FRANCE - JANUARY 15: Marcus Smith of Harlequins takes on Finn Russell of Racing 92 during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A match between Racing 92 and Harlequins at Paris La Defense Arena on January 15, 2023 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
ON THE BLINDSIDE
Racing 92 have made England and Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith an offer of around €500,000 (£425,000) gross to move to the French capital when his contract runs out next summer.
The Paris-based big guns, who lost Friday night's Top 14 semi-final play-off against Toulouse, have also been linked with a bid to buy Smith out of the last year of his deal at the Twickenham Stoop, but we understand that the offer they have made is for 12 months' time.
Smith, who visited Racing's state-of-the-art training facility Plessis Robinson last month, picks up around £400,000 a season with Quins plus £25,000 every time he plays for England, which he would lose in France.
It could also harm his chances of being picked for the 2025 Lions tour to Australia, making Racing's opening offer less than appealing unless there is a substantial increase.
Smith, who is now third in the England No.10 pecking order behind Owen Farrell and George Ford, could decide it's better to stick with Quins.
