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       #Post#: 109135--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: DOK
       Date: May 22, 2023, 7:07 am
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       Face it. He'd be an idiot not to check out all his options since
       he may or may not have an England career. If it looks like he's
       going to have to wait for the next England coach (2 years max)
       then why not sign up for a brief spell abroad and learn new
       things and a different culture? England will still be there in
       two years time.
       #Post#: 109139--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: poorfour
       Date: May 22, 2023, 7:36 am
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       --- Quote from: DOK link ---
       >
       > Face it. He'd be an idiot not to check out all his options
       since he may or may not have an England career. If it looks like
       he's going to have to wait for the next England coach (2 years
       max) then why not sign up for a brief spell abroad and learn new
       things and a different culture? England will still be there in
       two years time.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think there's a big difference between the approach Borthwick
       takes for the RWC and the one he will take for anything after.
       It's a reasonable position to build an attack around Ford and/or
       Farrell for a tournament that takes place in 5 months' time.
       It's a big bet to assume that fly halves who are 31 and 30 today
       will still be fit and at the top of the game when they are 35
       and 34.
       At the very least, it makes sense to develop another option
       properly once the tournament is over, and it's also likely that
       the way the game is evolving England will need to find a
       different style of play. Both of those point to committing to a
       younger fly half when the RWC is over. Smith M is comfortably
       the leading candidate, for all that Smith F might push him.
       If Borthwick doesn't do that, then it's all about the timing of
       Smith's next contract. If he wants to play at the 2027 RWC, when
       he should be at his peak, then he'll need to be back with an
       English club for the AIs after the 2025 Lions tour (or for the
       parallel summer matches if he doesn't tour with the Lions). He's
       contracted with Quins, I assume, until the end of 23/24, so if
       he still harbours international ambitions then either being
       bought out of that or a short contract are really his only
       options.
       On the other hand, maybe he's seen NEv's example and wants to go
       that way.
       #Post#: 109140--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: DOK
       Date: May 22, 2023, 8:05 am
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       He could sign a contract with a French club that would release
       him for International duty if England came calling. A ballsy
       approach to be sure.
       #Post#: 109142--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: Fearless Fred
       Date: May 22, 2023, 8:32 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: DOK link ---
       >
       > He could sign a contract with a French club that would release
       him for International duty if England came calling. A ballsy
       approach to be sure.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       That pre-supposes that England relax the rule regarding picking
       a player at clubs outside the Premiership, though.
       #Post#: 109146--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: Quinky
       Date: May 22, 2023, 11:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Marcus is still young, and one assumes that he's on a hefty
       package lready. Add to that the various sponsorships he has -
       would they remain if he were to move abroad? Obviously he would
       be able to get more of those, but he's not as big a name in
       France as he is here.
       The England question is interesting. IF he i
       gets ignored by Borthwick, maybe it would be tempting to
       sticking around for another two years and either a) force his
       way in or b) simply outplay everyone he comes up against. He'd
       still have plenty of years left in the tank in another couple of
       years, would arguably be nearer to his peak, and may have more
       caps to be a more household name globally. All of that would
       increase his salary demands. Conversely, right now he may find
       it more of a gamble and one that would wipe out his chances of
       England and Lions caps.
       Finally, don't overestimate loyalty and the pull of being a part
       of a squad of which a large part he's grown up with. We could be
       seeing a dynasty developing at Quins with the young talent
       coming through. And of course, there's Nev.
       #Post#: 109149--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: Audi Quintro
       Date: May 22, 2023, 12:26 pm
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       Smith will earn more money abroad. He'll probably win more
       silverware too.
       #Post#: 109151--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: JammyGit
       Date: May 22, 2023, 1:04 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       They've won one league title in the pro era. Finished 6th last
       season and are 4th this season. Never won a euro cup and have
       dropped off since their finalist days. Silverware is not
       something they're known for.
       #Post#: 109158--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: Aha!
       Date: May 22, 2023, 4:38 pm
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       Thankfully, TRP has also spotted Ben Botica in England so Quins
       must be lining him up as a replacement!
       #Post#: 109160--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: FatQuin
       Date: May 23, 2023, 4:14 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I find it hard to believe a player as talented as Jarrod Evans
       has signed just to make up the numbers.  My guess is we have a
       year of both of them but this signing was about preparing for
       Smith to leave when his contract is up.
       #Post#: 109162--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Smith to Racing?
   DIR By: DazzaS
       Date: May 23, 2023, 4:27 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       If Smith moves to France, or indeed Japan, I wouldn't blame
       him,unless Borthwick gives him assurances post World Cup 2023
       (which I am writing us off anyway based on the 6 nations
       performance), he should go where the money is, Quins will
       struggle to match the other leagues, a player's career can be
       curtailed instantly. Plus with 3 less clubs than last season,
       there are more players and less clubs to go round so can
       understand if some players look to move abroad.
       There could even be a relaxation from the RFU on picking players
       from abroad if the exodus increases.
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