STATEMENT: Marcus Smith forced to step down from rugby until 2023

Friday, 02 December 2022 at 20:10

byRugby Rucker

Harlequins boss Tabai Matson has confirmed that England fly-half Marcus Smith won't return to action until 2023.

Smith went off midway through the second half of England’s 27-13 loss to South Africa last weekend with what appeared to be a nasty ankle injury.

He could though be a doubt for the start of the 2023 Six Nations, as the number 10 is now due to have another specialist appointment next week.

“Simply, it is an ankle injury,” Quins head coach Tabai Matson told BT Sport, ahead of their clash with Bath on Friday evening.

“He had a specialist have a look at him this week, and another one next week.

“He will be out for this month and I think early next year we will get a better prediction of actually how many weeks he will be out for.”

Tabai Matson interview:

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Big blow for @Harlequins as Tabai Matson confirms Marcus Smith won't return to action until 2023. #GallagherPrem

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7:15 PM · Dec 2, 2022

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Marcus Smith Facts:

Smith was born in Manila in the Philippines and picked up the game at the age of 7 with Centaurs RFC when his family decided to move to Singapore, he learnt the game there before moving to Sussex as a 13-year old
His Dad, Jeremy Smith lived in Hong Kong from 1992-97, playing for Valley and the national side at fly-half
At just 18 years of age and 200 days, he made his Premiership debut at Twickenham to become the youngest fly-half to start in the top flight since a 17-year old George Ford
He is known to many of his teammates as Smudge, which is the traditional military nickname for anyone with the surname Smith.
The England and Harlequins fly-half has been dating professional model Beth Dolling for over two years.

England players wages revealed with £460k-a-season Marcus Smith the second highest earner

Marcus Smith might be the latest big thing in English rugby but he is still only England's seventh highest earner.

#10. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) - £430,000 per season

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#9. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) - £450,000

#8. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) - £450,000

Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#7. Marcus Smith (Harlequins) - £460,000

Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#6. Mako Vunipola (Saracens) - £500,000

Mako Vunipola of England during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#5. Billy Vunipola (Saracens) - £520,000

#4. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) £520,000

Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#3. George Ford (Sale Sharks) - £550,000

Leicester Tigers player Ellis Genge during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Dec 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#2. Maro Itoje (Saracens) - £800,000

Maro Itoje of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK