30 January 2024 , 11:31
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England face a nervous wait to see if fly-half Marcus Smith will be fit for Saturday’s Six Nations opener in Rome.
The Harlequins star is awaiting scan results on a leg issue after suffering an injury on the Red Rose’s training camp in Girona. With regular fly-half Owen Farrell stepping away from international rugby for the Six Nations to prioritise his and his family’s mental well-being, Smith had a chance to make his own claim for the No10 jersey.
But the gifted 24 year-old’s own future in the tournament is now under threat.
England coach Steve Borthwick, who used Smith at full-back at times in the World Cup, is set to name his side on Thursday. Smith left England’s training camp on crutches and could be the latest casualty in their backline with Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence already sidelined through injury.
George Ford is favourite to finally cement the No.10 role but British Lion Smith adds the option of a different dimension to his country’s attacking play.
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After he limped out of Monday’s session, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said: “Hopefully it’s very precautionary, but if he is not [available] it would definitely be a blow for us. It wasn’t a big incident.
"He was just jogging, but he pulled up and happened to be right next to a physio by the sideline, so they walked off after that. All the usual stuff [medical assessments] will happen.”
England's Marcus Smith (PA)Ford has some of his own injury problems of late but is expected to be fine for the game against the Azzurri.
But if Smith doesn't make it, there could be a possible place on the bench and debut for Northampton's Fin Smith, the 21 year-old who is arguably the Premiership's form No10.
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