BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS: ANDY FARRELL EXPLAINS MARCUS SMITH’S SELECTION, WHO WASN’T ‘COMPETING WITH GEORGE FORD OR SAM PRENDERGAST’

England ace Marcus Smith’s ability to cover both fly-half and full-back is one of the driving factors in his inclusion for the British and Irish Lions squad, according to boss Andy Farrell.

The 2021 tourist has spent the bulk of his career in the fly-half shirt, but in recent times has also been seen in the 15 shirt too, notably playing there for four of England’s Six Nations Tests this year.

‘Marcus isn’t competing with George Ford or Sam Prendergast’

Fly-half, and particularly the use of Smith, was one of many hotly contested spots in Farrell’s touring party. Finn Russell and Smith’s England teammate Fin Smith seemed the two likeliest to make the cut, but around that Owen Farrell, Sam Prendergast and George Ford were also in contention.

Smith’s name was also thrown into the ring, primarily as a utility option though, and Farrell detailed that it is one of the key factors behind his selection within the 38-man squad.

“Marcus isn’t competing with George Ford or Sam Prendergast, because he can play 10, 15 or 15, 10. Those lads are competing with Finn (Russell) and Fin (Smith),” the head coach said.

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He added: “For a player who gets thought about in a couple of different positions, you’d think ‘I want to nail down a position’ or ‘I want to be a starter’ etc, but what it does do for a tour like this; we all know the schedule, it’s about the preparation, the training and sometimes people being able to slot into a different position because with all the permutations that could happen.”

X-factor Smith

Smith has had a turbulent season, both at club and Test level, but he still remains one of the brightest attacking threats in Europe. Across the Six Nations, Smith made a staggering 366 metres ball-in-hand from his 44 carries – an average of 8.32 metres per carry – beat 13 defenders and made three line breaks as well.

That is more than matched with his numbers for Harlequins too, with Smith notching an even greater 497 meters from his 75 carries – an average of 6.63 per carry – beaten 34 defenders and making 10 line breaks.

His attacking output has not been ignored by Farrell either, and the head coach detailed that this is the best occasion to unleash him.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I think we’ve all seen that (he has X-factor). He relishes the occasion, and there’s none bigger than a Lions tour.”

READ MORE: ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ – Andy Farrell explains Henry Pollock’s British and Irish Lions selection

2025-05-09T06:29:30Z