Marcus Smith is ready to bounce back from his Leinster low and show Andy Farrell that he should be on the plane to Australia with the British and Irish Lions.
The Harlequins playmaker suffered a painful personal afternoon in front of the Lions head coach at Croke Park last time out as his team were humbled 62-0 in the Investec Champions Cup.
But Danny Wilson, his coach at Quins, says there has been no lasting damage.
“He’s fine,” said Wilson. “It doesn’t matter who’s playing 10 for you. If you’re on the end of that kind of scoreline and that performance from the opposition, it’s tough, but he’s outstanding in every aspect. He’s one of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with.
“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 he’s one of the most talented rugby players I’ve ever come across and ever worked with.
“We’ve all seen, I don’t know how many times, Marcus produce unbelievable moments and performances in a Harlequins and an England jersey.”
Wilson is backing Smith to make a strong push for inclusion in the squad in the two games he has left before it is named on May 8.
“This is where he’s got a chance to showcase and play rugby,” said Wilson.
“He remains focused on doing what he needs to do in a Harlequins jersey and to fulfilling his ambitions. They are two things that go hand in hand at the moment.
“I certainly think he would be somebody that can play 10 and can play 15 right at the top end of the game and can make something out of nothing. I’m a massive fan and see huge advantages to Marcus being in any team.”
Quins face Sale at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday in the Gallagher Premiership, a fixture which could see the return of Cadan Murley.
The flying wing injured his foot on his England debut against Ireland in the opening round of the Six Nations and has not played since.
“He’s in a good place, and we’ll see how the end of the week transpires,” said Wilson.
