Marcus Smith blow rocks England ahead of Six Nations opener
Marcus Smith in action for England.
England have been dealt a major blow ahead of their 2024 Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome this Saturday after fly-half Marcus Smith was ruled out of the fixture.
Smith suffered the injury at the team’s training camp in Girona on Monday and England are waiting for a second opinion on the scan before providing a possible return date.
That’s only increased speculation that the 24-year-old star could miss additional Six Nations games which would be a significant setback for head coach Steve Borthwick.
Fly-half jersey open
Smith was viewed as the front-runner to take over at fly-half on Saturday in the absence of Owen Farrell, but now the door has been flung open for George Ford and Fin Smith.
The Harlequins back’s absence from England‘s tournament opener was confirmed by assistant coach Kevin Sinfield, who hoped that Smith won’t be sidelined for too long.
“He won’t make this weekend sadly,” said Sinfield.
🏴 Blow for England as Marcus Smith out of Italy game. #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/yQt265Cn0I
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) January 30, 2024
“It is a calf injury. We got the scan report through but we are waiting to understand exactly what that means for us moving forward. He’s not fit for this weekend.
“It just happened in training, the early part of the session. Just one of those things. The boys have had two days off (for) recovery and Marcus being the bundle of energy that he is was doing his thing.
“Unfortunately these things happen. We are gutted for him because he’s been amazing to work with and we hope it will not be too long.”
Ford or Fin Smith
Now Borthwick must decide who to start at the Stadio Olimpico – 91-cap veteran Ford or the uncapped Smith, a 21-year-old rookie who is in excellent form for Northampton.
“Marcus is a big loss. He’s an outstanding guy who I have absolutely loved working with and I have got a really good connection with,” Sinfield continued.
“But what that does is provide opportunities for others. We have said it since I have been working with England that we are blessed with the 10s that we have got.”
Borthwick is set to announce his starting line-up for the Rome clash on Thursday.
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