Marcus Smith reveals messages with Argentina star ahead of England World Cup semi-final

The pair became friends during Mac Allister's time at Brighton and Hove Albion, the club Smith supports and his local team growing up.

Mac Allister, now with Liverpool, will be hoping to help Argentina reach the World Cup final when they face England in the semi-final in Atlanta, Georgia. Smith, meanwhile, will take on Los Pumas in the Nations Championship in Santiago del Estero this weekend.

Smith ended England's 73-8 victory over Fiji at scrum-half after replacement Alex Mitchell was forced off with a hamstring issue 23 minutes from time.

Speaking after England's win over Fiji, before Argentina's hard-fought quarter-final victory over Switzerland in which Mac Allister scored, Smith revealed the pair had been exchanging messages.

"I went down to Anfield last night and took a photo of him on the ground and sent him my best wishes for tonight.

"Hopefully he plays well and gets through to the semi-final."

The pair also joked about Mac Allister's serious expression in the photograph displayed at Anfield.

Asked whether Mac Allister follows rugby, Smith said, "He enjoys his rugby, I'm sure he's got other things to focus on at the minute.

"He's never come to a game but his brother came to a World Cup game when we played Argentina in France, which was pretty cool. He's just pretty passionate about sport and next week I'm sure he'll be messaging us some recommendations on Buenos Aires."