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#Post#: 109406--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: May 28, 2023, 5:31 pm
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--- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
>
> That pre-supposes that England relax the rule regarding
picking a player at clubs outside the Premiership, though.
>
--- End Quote ---
Which they won't.
#Post#: 109407--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: May 28, 2023, 5:42 pm
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To be honest I wouldn't be that upset (with Marcus) if he left,
I think he has potential to be one of the all time greats, and
that isn't going to happen if he stays here not being picked for
England.
But racing? Really?!
#Post#: 109409--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: Rocker
Date: May 29, 2023, 3:21 am
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Can't see the attraction of racing. They are no more likely to
win silverware than Quin's.
#Post#: 109410--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: J Scott
Date: May 29, 2023, 3:36 am
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If it happens it really does show how bad things are in our set
up (Prem Rugbys) that we can’t keep one of the brightest talents
in our league.
#Post#: 109411--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: Marsile
Date: May 29, 2023, 4:07 am
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--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> To be honest I wouldn't be that upset (with Marcus) if he
left, I think he has potential to be one of the all time greats,
and that isn't going to happen if he stays here not being picked
for England.
>
> But racing? Really?!
>
--- End Quote ---
He's not being picked for England because an actual all time
great is the best 10 in England. Just a pity he's had to play
out of position at 12 for so much of his England career.
#Post#: 109412--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: Mayor West
Date: May 29, 2023, 4:17 am
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I don’t remember George Ford playing at 12.
Racing does seem an odd place to go but they could be making
a bid for other players to come in because they’ve tempted
Marcus. Perhaps they have a two year plan. We got a bit used to
playing without Smith this season which slightly softens the
blow but it will be disappointing not to see his moments of
magic live in front of me/us.
#Post#: 109414--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: May 29, 2023, 6:05 am
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--- Quote from: Marsile link ---
>
>
> He's not being picked for England because an actual all time
great is the best 10 in England. Just a pity he's had to play
out of position at 12 for so much of his England career.
>
--- End Quote ---
Farrell's had 40 starts at 10 for England. If he was an all-time
great flyhalf, he'd have been able to make the 10 shirt his own
by being consistently good instead of consistently infuriating
and getting punted to 12 as a result.
Given the amount of smoke blown up his backside about his
talents as a 10, it's quite remarkable just how many of his
international performances in that shirt have varied from
appalling to mediocre. He's never looked like a world class fly
half for England, despite having so many chances over the years.
It's genuinely remarkable.
Maybe THIS is the year that he can convert his Saracens form to
the international stage. He couldn't do it when called upon in
the 6N, much like his play convinced the last few coaches that
an in-form Ford was indeed a far better option, but hope springs
eternal and all that.
#Post#: 109416--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: poorfour
Date: May 29, 2023, 8:07 am
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It still seems to me that the critical question is whether Smith
has a future with England.
I’d not be surprised if Ford and Farrell go to RWC 2023 as the
primary fly halves, but they are both over 30 now, so Borthwick
is likely to back a younger fly half from the 2024 6N onwards.
There are several options but Smith remains the best established
while not being so secure that he’d be able to do 18 months in
France and then return to England to make the 2027 squad.
As long as he has a reasonable expectation of playing
internationally, and the RFU don’t relax the overseas player
rule, it would seem odd to cut himself off from that for a
payday that is likely to be available to him later in his career
(and which more international experience would only increase).
I guess we’ll see, but it would be an unusual point in his
career to make a move unless his relationship with Borthwick has
broken down completely.
#Post#: 109417--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: DOK
Date: May 29, 2023, 8:25 am
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It depends on how he feels about "a bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush" (keep it clean!). Trade an extra £200k a year
for 2+ years over the possibility that in 18 months you might
play for England? We've seen rugby is a rough game where you're
one injury from forced retirement, go for the option that sets
you up for life after rugby.
Does anyone know how the tax situation works in France for rugby
players. Is it better than in the UK?
#Post#: 109418--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith to Racing?
DIR By: DazzaS
Date: May 29, 2023, 8:30 am
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--- Quote from: DOK link ---
>
> Does anyone know how the tax situation works in France for
rugby players. Is it better than in the UK?
>
--- End Quote ---
More than that what is the work visa situation? Is it easy for
UK nationals to get EU work visas? Unless he has an Irish
passport through an Irish grandparent so the issue is mute.
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