Jerry Flannery joins chorus raving about Harlequins fly-half – but will he beat George Ford to the England No 10 spot?
English rugby normally loves a caveat. Player X is potentially great but is his defence good enough? Player Y looks the business but what about his attitude? Which makes it all the more unusual to hear so many hard-bitten former professionals raving about Marcus Smith, the Harlequins fly‑half ripping it up for his club but still awaiting the call to represent his country.
Listen, for instance, to the considered verdict from the Harlequins defence coach, Jerry Flannery: “He’s so ready for Test rugby and he’s only going to get better when he gets there. What struck me when I met him is how incredibly driven and ambitious he is. He wants to be the best player in the world, never mind the best player in England.”
