‘Frustrated’ Top 14 giants fail to court Marcus Smith away from Harlequins – report

Racing 92 have given up on signing England and Harlequins star Marcus Smith ahead of next season, according to reports in France.

The Top 14 club were in advanced talks to sign the England fly-half as a replacement for Finn Russell, who will join Bath.

However, the deal has fallen through, and Smith is set to see out the final year of his contract at Harlequins.

Marcus Smith to remain at Harlequins

Racing 92 had freed up space in their budget to make a late big signing at fly-half to fill Russell’s void, and Smith was the man they targeted.

The Parisian side granted Warrick Gelant an early release from his contract to return to South Africa and planned to use incoming Perpignan star Tristan Tedder as cover at full-back if Smith arrived.

With Antoine Gibert on the club’s payroll as well as promising youngster Martin Meliande coming through the ranks, signing Smith was seen as a luxury they could afford, and initial talks began to bring him on ahead of the 2024/25 season.

According to the French publication L’Equipe, Racing shifted focus to buy Smith out of the final year of his contract at Harlequins and bring him on board after the Rugby World Cup for the 2023/24 season.

The report states that Racing 92 reached an agreement with Smith after he visited the club’s facilities, with Smith even messaging his potential new teammates to express his excitement to join the French side.

However, the deal reportedly fell through as the negotiations between all three parties became more complicated as the finer detail could not be agreed upon.

Racing 92 bosses were ‘frustrated’ by the lengthy negotiations and have now abandoned their pursuit of Smith. The Top 14 side are now set to explore further options in Wales and England.

It’s a further blow for the side who also attempted to lure Springbok fly-half Manie Libbok away from the Stormers.

Racing 92 arrivals and departures

Stuart Lancaster will take over as head coach for the side next season, with the Paris-based side adding some big-name players to their ranks ahead of his arrival.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi arrives from the Sharks with Wales lock Will Rowlands and Fiji stars Josua Tuisova and Wame Naituvi adding firepower in the backs.

James Hall trades the pink side of Paris for the Racing blue and is joined by fellow South African Tedder, who leaves Perpignan. Back-rower Jordan Joseph returns from a loan spell with Pau, with his teammate there, Clovis Le Bail joining him at Racing 92.

Meanwhile, front-rowers Biyi Alo, Ali Oz and Jonathan Maiau have all left the side along with lock Anton Bresler.

Russell and fellow fly-half Ben Volavola have also left the side, as has winger Asaeli Tuivuaka and league convert Regan Grace, who never made his debut for the side due to injury.

Gelant is the final departure from Racing and is expected to rejoin the Stormers.

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