Marcus Smith confident he will not fall into fame trap
Harlequins and Lions fly-half Marcus Smith has insisted he won’t fall into the fame trap that England head coach Eddie Jones outlined in a recent interview.
The fly-half was England’s playmaker during the end-of-year Autumn Nations Series as wins were claimed over Tonga, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham.
However, he was also warned by Jones over the need to stay grounded as the Rugby World Cup nears, with the coach wary of “distractions” for the young player.
Smith, however, insists that his brothers Luke and Thomas will help ensure he keeps his focus.
Brilliant team around me
“I’m very confident about dealing with it. I’m very lucky to be 22 years old and have a brilliant team around me to support me and put their arm around me,” Smith said.
“Brighton is not too far from here so if ever I need an escape and a break it’s easy to get down there, eat my mum’s rice and enjoy my brothers’ company. It’s nice to have amazing people around me and I am really grateful for that.
“I hope my brothers are proud of me. I wouldn’t have done any of those things without them.
“They’ve both been truly supportive to me as well as challenging me, which I love.
“I still remember loads of times we used to go to the park and try to sidestep each other.
“They’d mug me off or read my sidestep, which would frustrate the hell out of me. Again that’s what we enjoyed doing growing up.
“Those two guys are paramount to my career. They’ll definitely keep me grounded. After the South Africa game they were laughing at my drop goal, so I’ve got to work on that.
“My parents will be protective when they need to be, but they’ll also celebrate with me when I achieve something that they’re proud of.
“I’ve got a brilliant balance in my mum and dad and two younger brothers. Whatever happens, whether positive or negative, I’m very confident that they’ll guide me on to the right path.
“Every single young player who has played for England will have had it at some point and for me it’s about surrounding myself with brilliant people who are able to share their bits of wisdom.
“As long as I continue to listen to them and be open to their feedback then hopefully I can stay on the path I am on now, but it’s not a straight line.”
Smith was mentored by Jonny Wilkinson during the recent autumn campaign, completing two sessions a week with the England great.
“For me the biggest learning I got off him was in terms of mental preparation,” Smith said.
“I learned to deal with things that don’t always go your way, how to deal with things that do go your way and just how to live and how to be a good person.”
Chris Boyd hails Finn Russell after attacking masterclass
Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd hailed the showing of Finn Russell after he led Racing 92 to a 45-14 Champions Cup win at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Scotland international was in fine form on Friday as he dominated the individual battle with British & Irish Lions team-mate Dan Biggar in the 10 jersey.
He played a key role in four of his team’s five tries as he linked well with Kurtley Beale to put the Saints to the sword on the opening night of the tournament.
