Marcus Smith faces George Ford in Six Nations England fly-half audition as Harlequins meet Sale - 'All rugby nauses'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 01/12/2023 at 09:20 GMT
Friday night will see Harlequins and Sale Sharks clash in the Gallagher Premiership, live on TNT Sports. Marcus Smith will start at fly-half for Quins and will be up against England team-mate George Ford. Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard and wing Cadan Murley have both praised Smith, who could start at fly-half for England at the Six Nations after Owen Farrell's decision to take a break.
Marcus Smith of Harlequins
Image credit: Getty Images
Marcus Smith's "genuine toughness" is helping him stand out in elite rugby, says Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard, as Smith looks to bolster his England fly-half credentials against Sale Sharks.
Smith will go up against England team-mate George Ford when Quins take on Sale on Friday evening, live on TNT Sports.
Both Smith and Ford could be vying to play at fly-half for England at the Six Nations after Owen Farrell’s decision to take a break to prioritise his mental health.
Smith also played at full-back for England at the World Cup, as Millard has talked up his credentials ahead of facing Sale.
“He’s an extremely impressive guy, very driven, can add a lot of lightness and fun to the environment as well, but from a young age he’s prepared to drive standards,” Millard told Standard Sport.
“And he showed it at the World Cup, we were so proud of him, but he’s so tough.
“He’s a handsome young man with a great hairstyle, but he’s got some genuine toughness and a competitive streak that always come out.
“Almost every game Marcus will be coming up against a quality 10. It’s pretty cool for these guys when they are playing against friends that they play with in other teams.”
Quins wing Cadan Murley says Smith, 24, is “just as good a leader” as Farrell and Ford, as he compared him to the illustrious playmaking duo.
“Owen Farrell, George Ford and Marcus, they’ve got one thing in common, they all love rugby, they’re all rugby nauses and they just always want to learn,” Murley told Standard Sport.
“They all have different aspects as their main strengths, if you put the three together maybe you’d have the perfect blend. They’re all willing to learn, ask each other questions, all big leaders, they’ve got their own voice.
“Marcus is a bit younger than the other two, but he’s just as good a leader as well. So it’s an interesting dynamic, but I think it worked really well at the World Cup. Marcus really relishes the opportunity to learn from them.”
Sale are currently top of the Gallagher Premiership with six wins and one defeat from their seven matches.
Quins are fifth, having lost their last two games in a row.
“Getting the points in this game would be so big for us,” said Millard.
“It would really complement the two points we got in defeat at Northampton. It’s a short season and you’ve got to keep getting points.”
Harlequins have been boosted by the return of Joe Marler, Will Collier and Joe Launchbury, while Chandler Cunningham-South will make his first start in the Premiership..
Sale have made one change as Simon McIntyre starts in place of injured Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop.
How to watch Harlequins v Sale on TNT Sports
Gallagher Premiership leaders Sale Sharks head to fifth-placed Harlequins on Friday, December 1, with kick-off at 19:45 and coverage starting on 1 from 19:00.
Sale head into the match on the back of an 11-9 win over Bath, thanks to penalties from George Ford and a try from Ted Hill, to stretch their winning streak to four matches since suffering their only defeat of the season to Exeter on October 28.
Quins were involved in an entertaining game at Northampton in their previous outing, but came away with a 36-33 loss, despite scoring five tries.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article