Young Fly-Half Eyeing Future Adventures but Committed to Current Challenges
Marcus Smith, the rising star of Harlequins, is not yet ready to embark on an overseas rugby adventure despite interest from Top 14 clubs. His contract with Quins expires in June 2024, but the 24-year-old fly-half sees his immediate future tied to his club and the England national team.
With Harlequins having experienced a decline since their 2021 Gallagher Premiership title win, Smith is determined to help turn the tide and reclaim his spot in England’s starting lineup, currently held by rival Owen Farrell. “I’m still early on in my career. Obviously, I want to experience different cultures and play in different leagues,” Smith stated ahead of the ‘Big Summer Kick-Off’ match against Bath at Twickenham. “But I’ll do that when the time’s right for me, my family, my girlfriend, and for my development as a rugby player and as a person.”
While he acknowledges the growing trend of England internationals, such as Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell, moving to French clubs post-World Cup, Smith is keen on addressing the challenges within the Premiership. He believes that increasing the salary cap—from £5 million to £6.4 million next year—and enhancing the marketing of the league could help stem the exodus of talent.
“If you look across to the Top 14, you see the dominance they have in Europe. For me, that’s mainly down to the salary cap,” he observed. “If they’ve got more resources and finances to build their squads, they’re probably going to be in a better position to win those tournaments.”
Smith aims to achieve European success himself, having previously expressed a desire to win the Heineken Cup. He noted the difficulties of competing in England, especially after the recent folding of clubs like Wasps and Worcester. “Two clubs have folded, which is never a good sign for the game in the Premiership,” he remarked, pointing out that viewing figures in France are significantly higher.
He believes that initiatives like Harlequins’ ‘Big Game’ and ‘Big Summer Kick-Off’ are vital for attracting new audiences to rugby. “A bit of variation in the game of rugby, which is so traditional, might entice a different audience to come and watch our games,” he said. “That hopefully leads to better grassroots participation, an increase in the salary cap, better teams, and hopefully European titles coming back to England.”
As the landscape of rugby continues to evolve, Smith is focused on making his mark in the Premiership while preparing for future opportunities. Sources at Premiership Rugby indicate that by 2024, the spending gap between English and French clubs is set to narrow to around £1 million, suggesting a potential shift in the competitive balance.
