THE TWO SIDES OF MARCUS SMITH
AS MARCUS SMITH makes the short walk from Rugby World’s makeshift outdoor photo studio to the warmth of the coffee shop at Harlequins’ Surrey Sports Park base in Guildford, he is approached by a group of girls, not much younger than him, and asked for an autograph, a programme from the England-South Africa match thrust in his direction. He is happy to oblige and share in a brief exchange on the excitement of that game.
Smith has been well known in rugby circles for a few years now but the past six months have catapulted him to a new stratosphere and the wider public consciousness. After all, he has won the Gallagher Premiership with Harlequins, made his England debut, been called up to the British & Irish Lions tour in South Africa and kicked the last-minute match-winning penalty against the world champions in front of a full house at Twickenham.
“To be honest it’s a bit surreal to be recognised but I don’t see it as a negative or a pressure,” says Smith. “I see it as a privilege and an honour. If I was going to achieve what I wanted to achieve when I was growing up, then this was going to happen. I’ve got to embrace it now it’s here and carry on being myself and carry on improving. Because hopefully I can keep improving and keep getting games for Harlequins and England.”
His performances in the victories over Tonga, the Wallabies and the Springboks in November, not to mention his club form, would suggest the games will keep coming. And the South
