Marcus Smith: “I hope people remember me as someone who brought excitement and kept fans eagerly watching.”
On June 2, 2019, rugby fans everywhere got to see a young Marcus Smith in action for the first time wearing an England jersey, playing against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
He couldn’t have wished for a better start—Smith scored a try in the first half and kicked six conversions and three penalties. Now 27, he looks back on that day as a really important moment early in his career.
Smith shared, “The Barbarians had a star-studded team, and not many of us were capped for England. Playing at Twickenham so early felt like a dream come true. Wearing the white jersey there fired me up and made me hungry for more chances to play and earn my first official England cap.”
He had to wait two years for his first England cap, which came in a game where Eddie Jones’ side beat the USA 43-29 at Twickenham. Once again, Smith was a key player, scoring a try and four conversions that surely impressed the selectors.
But before that match, Smith wasn’t focused on the spotlight. He said: “That first cap was just after Covid. We had a great season at Quins, winning the league, so I was really excited. I worried my family wouldn’t be able to come, but thankfully they were there.”
Five years later, Smith reached his 50th cap playing at the Stade de France during one of the most dramatic Six Nations finishes ever. Even though England lost 48-46 to France with the last kick, it was still a proud moment for him.
He said, “I never expected to reach 50 caps. There have been highs and lows, but it’s been a dream come true. Growing up, I dreamed of playing for England and Harlequins. I’m so thankful for my family and everyone who supported me. Also, I’m grateful to the England team for always backing me. I’ve made lifelong friends and memories, especially with Sam Underhill, who has looked out for me since I was young.”
Smith has been a steady presence in the England squad for five years now, thanks in part to how well he looks after his body and prepares for matches. He credits Optimum Nutrition for helping him recover and stay ready.
He explained, “I start the week focusing on recovery with whey protein and casein from Optimum Nutrition to repair muscles after a match. By Tuesday, I make sure I’ve practiced tackling, kicking, and making decisions under pressure so I’m almost ready to play. After tough training, I take more casein to help overnight. Wednesday is for clearing my mind and switching off before getting ready again on Thursday.”
A big part of Smith’s routine is studying the opponents and game plan, which helps him stay sharp on the pitch. Over time, he has also grown into a leader at both club and international level.
He said, “When I was young, the way leaders made me feel mattered a lot. It’s tough entering a new locker room, so I try to make younger players feel at home and part of the team. That support helped me grow faster than I might have otherwise.”
Though he’s only 27 and far from retirement, Smith still has big goals, like winning the Six Nations and playing in the next World Cup for England. When the time comes to retire, he hopes his teammates will remember him well.
He said, “I want to be known as an exciting player who made fans sit on the edge of their seats. As a teammate, I hope I’m seen as someone who always worked hard to help the team win. And as a person, I want to be remembered as competitive but down-to-earth, someone who makes time for everyone—that’s something my parents always taught me.”
Marcus Smith spoke to SPORTbible thanks to Optimum Nutrition, the UK’s No.1 Sports Nutrition brand: www.optimumnutrition.com/en-gb