ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Marcus Smith's Six Nations in jeopardy after scan returns with bad news

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Tuesday Jan 30, 2024

With England’s first Six Nations match against Italy just over three days away, Steve Borthwick will have been hoping for an uneventful week leading up to the occasion. Unfortunately for the England head coach, a Marcus Smith shaped spanner has been thrown straight in the works.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gingerly walking out of training in Girona yesterday, Smith was sent for a scan on a potential leg injury after pulling up in a jogging exercise. The results of the scan have now been released, and it isn’t looking good for the playmaker.

England skills coach, Kevin Sinfield, said: “He won’t make this weekend, sadly, it is a calf injury. We got the scan report through but we are waiting to understand exactly what that means for us moving forward. He’s not fit for this weekend.

“The boys have had two days off, recovery, and Marcus being the bundle of energy that he is, was doing his thing. Unfortunately, these things happen. We are gutted for him because he’s been amazing to work with and we hope it will not be too long.

“He’s a big loss. He’s an outstanding guy who I have absolutely loved working with and I have got a really good connection with. But what that does is provide opportunities for others. We have said it since I have been working with England that we are blessed with the tens that we have got.”

When questioned on the extent of the injury, Sinfield added that it “would be great” if they could keep the Harlequins playmaker around the squad, but that would all depend on the length of his expected recovery time.

“I am not sure on the logistics, I think some of it will depend on what the second opinion says. It would be great if we could keep him with us. I think with all our nines and tens, the more time they get to spend together the more those friendships and relationships continue to build.

“That’s really important off the field as it is on the field. It would be great if he stays. I think he likes the ice cream here as well.

“We have got a couple of guys who can play ten aside from what we have in Fin and George. Henry Slade has done it before, George Furbank has done it before and done a great job — he has done it this year for Northampton. We have got a couple of guys in there already who can, certainly in the short term, cover us.”

England have been hit with a series of injuries prior to the tournament, with Ollie Lawrence, Luke Cowan-Dickie, George Martin, Manu Tuilagi, Nick Isiekwe and Oscar Beard all already out of the match in Rome, and Tom Curry, Jack van Poortvliet and Bevan Rodd all ruled out for the duration of the tournament.

ADVERTISEMENT

If Marcus Smith is indeed ruled out for a large period of time, then it will likely give an extended opportunity to the likes of young fly half, Fin Smith, to prove his own worth in the England side.

Related Articles

  • 39 WEEKS AGO

    Jamie Heaslip Exclusive: Respectfully...Ireland...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    Immanuel Feyi-Waboso replaced by Will Muir...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    Match Highlights: England A vs Portugal Rugby...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All