- Harlequins star Smith lost his England fly-half shirt during the Six Nations
- He moved to full-back or the bench with namesake Fin Smith taking over
- But after a tough few weeks, star has been backed to come out firing for his club
Marcus Smith has been backed to deliver his ‘outstanding’ best and push his case for Lions selection by having an extended run in his favoured No 10 shirt with Harlequins.
Smith’s Six Nations campaign saw him lose his England fly-half spot to rival and namesake Fin Smith after the round-one defeat by Ireland.
He was subsequently selected three times at full-back and once on the bench by head coach Steve Borthwick instead.
After a short break in Miami, the 26-year-old’s first two games back in club colours ended in heavy defeats by Bath and Leinster.
Smith’s chances of touring Australia with the Lions this summer haven’t been helped as a result and he has significant competition for a squad place from the likes of Scotland ace Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Ireland’s Sam Prendergast and possibly Owen Farrell.
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson believes his star man is still worthy of a spot.
England ace Marcus Smith has been described as ‘outstanding’ by Harlequins after a tough run
Smith lost his starting No 10 spot with England during the Six Nations and moved to full-back
‘I certainly think so as he’s someone who can play 10 and 15 right at the top end of the game and can make something happen from nothing,’ Wilson said of Smith.
‘He remains focused on doing what he needs to do in a Harlequins jersey to fulfil his ambitions. The two go hand in hand.
‘This is where he has the showcase to play his rugby. I’m a massive fan. I can see huge advantages to Marcus being in any team.’
Smith will be the key playmaker for Quins as they look to seal a Gallagher Premiership play-off place in the end-of-season run-in.
Wilson’s men are part of a congested midtable but only four points off the top four ahead of hosting fifth-placed Sale on Saturday.
Smith was far from the only Quins player to struggle in their 62-0 Champions Cup hammering by Leinster.
He was a late call-up for the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa and is pushing to be a part of this year’s trip.
Smith cut a disappointed figure after his Harlequins team were hammered by Leinster in Europe
Northampton’s Fin Smith impressed for England at the Six Nations when taking over at No 10
‘With England, he was playing 15 so wouldn’t have trained at 10. It’s been a long period of time without him really playing and training at 10, Wilson said of Smith.
‘He’s easing back into that. The game in Dublin wasn’t the best platform for him, but that was nothing to do with him.
‘We’ve all seen I don’t know how many times Marcus produce unbelievable moments of brilliance and performances in a Harlequins and England jersey.
‘He’s fine. He’s an outstanding professional to work with. He’s way beyond his years. He’s very focused on what we at Harlequins need to do to get better. He drives that.
‘He comes in every day with that mindset and attitude. He’s one of the most talented rugby players I’ve ever come across and have ever worked with. He has so much to offer.
‘That Leinster game did not give him the opportunity to be him. It was as simple as that. And in the Bath game he played 15.
‘Since being back in a Harlequins jersey, he hasn’t had the ability to play 10 and be on the front foot. Leinster was a game where it doesn’t matter who is playing 10.
‘If you’re on the end of that scoreline and opposition performance, it’s tough.’
