England head coach Steve Borthwick has explained his decision to release fly-half Marcus Smith from his England training squad.
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Smith was released from the group on Tuesday, with Sale Sharks fly half George Ford being retained in Steve Borthwick’s plans. Smith is set to return to Quins this weekend, ahead of their ‘Big Game 14’ showdown with Exeter Chiefs, at Twickenham Stadium.
“Marcus has had limited game time the last two or three weeks,” said Borthwick.
“The clear thought to it and the feeling I have for him is that match sharpness, getting in a 10 shirt, boss a game, boss the team and reassemble with us on Sunday afternoon.’
Danny Care is Smith’s half-back partner at Harlequins, and knows full well the qualities that the fly half brings to England.
“Should he (Marcus Smith) be getting more game time for England? Yeah, I think more than 14 seconds. I do think he should be getting more. But it’s tough, it’s tough obviously on Marcus at the moment.” Care said at today’s Harlequins press conference.
“Steve (Borthwick) picked Owen Farrell as Captain, so it’s obviously going to be very hard for him to then take Owen off. I think everyone would have liked to seen a bit more of Marcus in that second half especially. I think the game opened up a fair bit.
“It went a bit stagnant in that second half, and I felt like it needed a bit of a lift. And there’s probably no one better than Marcus to do that. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a big opportunity. But you know, I’ve got no doubts, that boy is going to play a very, very big part in England’s success over the next few years.
“The best thing about Marcus is he’ll just make the best of his opportunities, if you give him the chance, he’ll take it. And he’s going to probably bide his time a little bit. But, when the opportunity comes, which I’m sure it will, then he’ll show his class at the international stage, which he’s done, every time he’s worn the shirt.”
EXPECTED ENGLAND XV TO FACE FRANCE:
#Back-three:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
11. Henry Arundell (London Irish)
#Centres:
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
