‘Rattled’ Marcus Smith unhappy with Finn Russell as tensions spill over during Premiership clash
Finn Russell and Marcus Smith during Premiership clash.
Scotland got the better of England in the Premiership on Saturday as Finn Russell won the much-anticipated fly-half battle against Marcus Smith.
The two players could well meet in the Six Nations in February with this a potential precursor to that encounter.
It was Russell who enjoyed the better of the contest as Bath claimed a 25-17 triumph over Harlequins in the Premiership.
Smith’s ability
Although Smith did his best to turn the fortunes of his team around, displaying a number of classy touches, it was the Scotsman who was the star playmaker.
He controlled the match nicely and, aided by a powerful performance from the pack, managed to take his side to the top of the table at Christmas.
Late on in the match, both players showed their vast array of skills as Russell’s attempted drop-goal hit the upright and fell into the arms of Smith.
Sensing an opportunity to run, the English pivot counter-attacked and found Tyrone Green, who kicked ahead.
However, the Bath fly-half was lurking, brilliantly collecting the ball and sending it over Smith and into touch for a 50/22.
Russell then looked to get play moving again quickly by picking up the ball, but his opposite number had already grabbed it.
As the Scotsman jostled with Smith and attempted to take it from the 24-year-old’s grasp, the Quins player rather petulantly pushed him away.
That led to other members of the visiting side getting involved as a minor kerfuffle broke out between the teams.
Inches in it 🤏@finn_russell's attempted drop goal hits the post, but then moments later he lands a 50/22 🎯#GallagherPrem #BATvHAR @BathRugby pic.twitter.com/BjO5VytzLB
— PREM Rugby (@premrugby) December 23, 2023
“Rattled”
Russell simply responded with a smile, knowing that he and his team had got the better of Smith and Harlequins in pretty much every sense.
Smith knew that they had been well beaten, which probably led to his reaction, with one fan writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Finn had him rattled.”
Another added: “Only one winner there, take a bow Finn,” as the Scottish star claimed a victory ahead of their possible rematch in two months’ time.
It is fair to say that Smith did not enter the Christmas spirit at the Rec and one person used a festive analogy in describing the clash.
“When your little brother doesn’t want to give you the remote control at Christmas…” they wrote.
