The audacity and aptitude of Harlequins’ Marcus Smith on the rugby field are beyond question. Equally commendable is Sale Sharks’ George Ford’s knack for managing the game. Advocates of Fin Smith propose he amalgamates the best characteristics of both – the flashy showmanship and level-headed pragmatism of the aforementioned fly-halves.
This belief will be put under verification when Smith steps onto the pitch wearing the number 10 jersey for Northampton Saints. They face Munster in the exciting Champions Cup Round of 16 game at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday afternoon – with the match viewable live on TNT Sports and ITV.
The young fly-half has been showcasing consistent performances in the season, aligning with his commendable track record, formed since his late teen years. A protege of the Shipston-on-Stour rugby club and Warwick School attendee, he joined the Worcester Warriors academy. His debut for the Gallagher Premiership as an 18-year-old made him the second most youthful player in the club’s history.
He participated in most of the matches that led to England’s Under-20 Grand Slam victory in 2021. A year later, he played a significant part in Worcester’s triumph over London Irish in the Guinness Premiership Cup final. Post Worcester’s unfortunate downfall that year, he was quickly picked up by Northampton.
In his stint with the Saints, he has accumulated 323 points over 35 matches spanning two seasons. This impressive performance has caught the gaze of two countries he qualifies for. His parents, Andrew and Judith, descend from Scotland, as does his grandfather, Tom Elliot, a Scotland international with 14 caps and a 1955 British & Irish Lions tour member.
Smith, on the other hand, has always aspired to represent England. In light of his potential, Steve Borthwick named him in the 2023 Six Nations team, despite him not gaining any field time. Nevertheless, the scenario alternated in this year’s tournament when Smith made an impressive debut as a substitute against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. He clocked 19 minutes against Scotland, and may have added to this if it was not for an unfortunate injury.
Smith’s performance in Northampton’s 26-23 victory over Munster in the Champions’ Cup pool stage at Thomond Park back in January likely demonstrated his dedication and prowess to Borthwick. His outstanding play, including a striking drop goal, resulted in a considerable 16 points for his team.
In the upcoming rematch between the two sides in Northampton, Smith, who is about to turn 22, will compete against Munster’s Jack Crowley, aged 24. Considering their talent, this contest may extend even to the Lions tour to Australia next summer and beyond.
Fin Smith, unfortunately, was unable to participate in England’s Six Nations victory against Ireland at Twickenham due to an injury. Consequently, Ford started the match, with Marcus Smith later replacing him and securing the victory with a winning drop goal.
Ireland’s Six Nations title was greatly aided by Crowley, who brilliantly stepped out of Johnny Sexton’s shadows. He has not only played an instrumental role in designing Munster’s attack strategies but also demonstrated his individual excellence, a trait he cultivated during his age-grade rugby days.
This was exemplified in last weekend’s URC win against Cardiff, where he scored a memorable try. By cleverly utilising a teammate as a shield, he showed his quick thinking and agility.
One area for improvement for Crowley is to trust his own abilities to breach the gain-line. Despite possessing the necessary distribution skills and a diverse kicking game, he needs to rely more on his strength and quickness. Notably, he leads the URC in terms of placekicking success with an impressive rate of over 90 per cent.
The duel between the respective outhalves this Sunday is expected to be a high-stakes affair, with many factors to consider, one of which being the performance of the front pack. The same could be said for the scrumhalves matchup, whether it is Craig Casey or Conor Murray representing Munster, while England’s shirt has consistently been worn by Alex Mitchell, barring injury issues for the past year.
Smith’s confidence has never been in question, but his man-of-the-match performance – which saw him making the crucial pass for three tries and flawlessly accumulating 16 points – in Northampton’s 40-31 victory over Saracens, led by Owen Farrell, has undoubtedly reinforced his assurance.
Northampton’s head coach, Phil Dowson, has reflected on the growth and development of his game leader. Dowson explained, “Just a year ago, when the schedule was not as packed, he was constantly transitioning in and out of the [England] squad. He was also learning to manage periods of non-involvement and returning back to club responsibilities.”
“He’s now a year more experienced. His confidence in those surroundings is greater due to earning caps. He’s improved in transitioning from the international forum back to this level,” Dowson elaborated. It seems Munster was already well aware of Smith’s robust capabilities.