Quins tipping Smith to be England’s bright new star
MARCUS SMITH will become the youngest Premiership debutant at fly-half since George Ford when he runs out for Harlequins at Twickenham today.
At just 18 years and 200 days old, Smith will go second on the all- time list for youngest No 10s to play their first league match, 29 days shy of Ford’s record, when he faces London Irish in the season opener.
Quins believe they have unearthed another English gem in Smith, who completed his A Levels at Brighton College this summer.
England coach Eddie Jones has already earmarked the Philippines-born starlet, picking him for a summer training camp before he had played a league game.
Quins director John Kingston said: ‘Age is just a number. Marcus is an all-rounder. He has time on the ball, has pace, kicks well out of hand, reads the game well and is a brave lad. We will try to make sure his development is sensible. We will look after him in the right way — we see him not just as having potential but as a blooming good player.’
Smith has only played for England Under 20s once, featuring for 25 minutes in the 46-0 hammering of Italy in the Six Nations. Born in Manila on Valentine’s Day, 1999, he moved to Singapore, where he took up rugby, aged seven.
His mentor at Quins will be former All Black Nick Evans, who retired at the end of last season. One of the 37-year- old’s first jobs as Quins’ attack coach will be nurturing a prodigious talent — and Kingston thinks he is more than capable.
‘Nick Evans is a fantastic asset for us to have,’ the boss added. ‘The players look up to him — Tim Swiel has b enefited from that already and I am sure Marcus will too.
‘Marcus is in a good place and has good people around him to look after him.’ FINANCE director Steve Brown will replace Ian Ritchie as the RFU chief executive. Ritchie’s decision to retire at the end of the summer came as a shock but the promotion of Brown, who has been a great success as finance director, will surprise few. Brown said: ‘This is the job of a lifetime for me. I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity.’