Over the past year, Harlequins pair Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt have tasted Gallagher Premiership glory and become established England players; plenty of hard work has gone into those achievements, and there are more in their sights
By Marc Bazeley
Last Updated: 28/04/22 5:24pm
Alex Dombrant and Marcus Smith have enjoyed a stellar past 12 months for both club and country
Marcus Smith has been living his childhood ambition to be a professional rugby union player since making his Gallagher Premiership debut in 2017, but the past 12 months have seen the spotlight trained on him like never before.
From starring for Harlequins as they claimed a first Premiership title for nine years, to making his England Test debut, earning a surprise mid-tour call to join the British and Irish Lions in South Africa and becoming Eddie Jones’ first-choice fly-half for the national team, it has been a year like no other for the 23-year-old.It would be understandable if Smith were to be unnerved at suddenly finding himself the centre of attention at what is still a relatively early stage of his career. Yet given the ice-cool demeanour he displays in his performances for both club and country it should come as no surprise he is taking it in his stride. “It’s grown massively in the last year, but I’m very grateful for it,” Smith told Sky Sports at the premiere of Prep To Win: Harlequins, the new three-part documentary mini-series produced by Bath and England prop Beno Obano which lifts the lid on Quins’ preparations for the 2021/22 season.”It’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was young, be a professional rugby player, and what comes with it is what comes with it.”For me, I’m very lucky I’ve got a brilliant support network around me. My family, my mum, my dad, my brothers and my girlfriend all support me through everything.”For me, it makes it easier when I can go home, eat my mum’s food and just spend time with my brothers talking about the things 23-year-old boys should t …