'Marcus Smith has to be the man leading the charge for England' - Tommy Bowe raves about Harlequins fly-half
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ByOli Gent
Updated 20/01/2024 at 16:00 GMT
TNT Sports pundits Tommy Bowe and Stephen Ferris waxed lyrical about Marcus Smith and his potentially pivotal role in turning around England's Six Nations fortunes after the fly-half again impressed in Harlequins colours, helping Billy Millard's side to a bonus point 47-19 win over Ulster at the Twickenham Stoop. Louis Lynagh scored a brace, with the winger not even in the initial matchday squad.
Harlequins' Marcus Smith during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on December 30, 2023 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
TNT Sports pundits Tommy Bowe and Stephen Ferris both believe that Marcus Smith could be the crucial difference-maker for England in the upcoming Six Nations.
Smith played a crucial part in Harlequins’ bonus-point thrashing of Ulster at the Stoop, as Billy Millard’s side moved into second in their Investec Champions Cup pool, putting them in a strong position for a home play-off in the next round.
The 47-19 win puts Quins on 15 points, level with pool-topping Toulouse, but the French side have a game in hand, as they play Bath on Sunday.
Speaking after the home side’s victory, TNT Sports’ Ugo Monye quizzed Bowe and Ferris on whether they thought that Smith should be the starting stand-off for Borthwick’s side.
“When I see Steve Borthwick’s squad that he’s announced, it’s full of promise; it’s full of exciting players playing a really fun brand of rugby,” Bowe said.
“That’s what the English public want. They want to get up off their seats and be excited about the rugby they’re going to be playing. If they’re going to do that, Marcus Smith has to be the man leading the charge for them.”
Ferris, who won 35 caps for Ireland during his playing career, agreed.
“I love him, I just love him,” he said. “Just coming here and watching him, the tempo he brings to the game. In an international jersey, when you have a huge pack of forwards in front of you, it will make his job easier.
“He’s just got to play with that free spirit and will we see a different England in this Six Nations from the World Cup? With Marcus Smith at 10, I certainly hope so.”
Lynagh the unlikely hero
Louis Lynagh was not even supposed to be in the matchday squad for Quins, with Cameron Anderson the preferred choice on the flank, but an injury to him, and then another knock to Oscar Beard forced Millard’s hand, as he threw on Lynagh, who himself has been plagued by injury in recent months.
The change was monumental, with Lynagh notching a brace that spurred the home side on to a potential home play-off in the next round.
Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, where he was awarded the player-of-the-match medal, Lynagh said: “It’s amazing how rugby works sometimes.
“When I found out I wasn’t in the 23, I was a bit gutted, but then it’s amazing how things turn around. I got my chance quite early today. Hopefully Oscar’s OK, but it was an amazing win.”
Millard, the Harlequins director of rugby, was impressed with his stand-in winger.
“He was unbelievable,” he told TNT Sports. “We know he can do that. It’s given him the opportunity to do it, and we’re really happy for him. He added a lot to that foothold in the game.”
“It almost takes all the pressure off you [coming off the bench],” Bowe said.
“You don’t have the nerves coming into a big game like this. He said that he was really frustrated that he wasn’t in the 23-man squad, but he was just fantastic.
“A few opportunities he had defensively, he got stuck in. He’s a big man, coming off the bench for Beard, who I think suffered an HIA. He offers so much more, it’s not just the two tries he scored, but it’s his wonderful defence.
“He’s able to cover [ground] and he’s very vocal. There’s loads of talk about him being great in defence and always wanting to get his hands on the ball, and that’s what you want from your outside backs.”
Ferris concurred, with Lynagh’s performance leaving the former Ulster flanker purring.
“He was absolutely class today, especially considering his injuries,” he said.
“He’s not really been in the mix. It’s been a tough year for him.”
“He’s never given up,” Bowe interjected. “That’s what you always get told; never stop chasing all the time. It was two real simple errors by Stockdale and Balocoune. Balls kicked through, simple things as a back three player: keep your eye on the ball, gather it in, and keep it safe.
“They took their eye off the ball, and that man capitalised on it.”
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