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       #Post#: 144195--------------------------------------------------
       England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus Smith
   DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
       Date: October 29, 2025, 4:41 am
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  HTML https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/57df32820a90d336
       #Post#: 144196--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: Nicholas Piper
       Date: October 29, 2025, 4:43 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Any idea when his contract expires at Quins?
       Although we'd really struggle without him, I hate to see world
       class talent wasted and would love to see how he fairs in the
       French league.
       Surely he must be considering taking the money now.
       #Post#: 144207--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: Rugbycat
       Date: October 29, 2025, 6:41 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Nicholas Piper link ---
       >
       > Any idea when his contract expires at Quins?
       > Although we'd really struggle without him, I hate to see world
       class talent wasted and would love to see how he fairs in the
       French league.
       > Surely he must be considering taking the money now.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       If you are not going to play international rugby is going to
       France going to be anymore fulfilling then playing in England,
       apart from the money, but since he is outside the pay cap
       English clubs may well match the offers from France.
       Racing 92 was not great for the two previous 10’s, and only a
       couple of French clubs have the potential to win the European
       Cup.
       can’t see him going anywhere until after the 27 RWC, a lot is
       being made about a team selected for a match outside the
       international window against a weak Australia, the Selection
       against NZ will be telling.
       A number of strange choices for this match and the lack of
       injury cover for the backs makes it unlikely this is the
       coaching staff’s ultimate team.
       #Post#: 144214--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: never sleep
       Date: October 29, 2025, 8:31 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Nicholas Piper link ---
       >
       > Any idea when his contract expires at Quins?
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Doesn't it have the details on the Squad/Contracts/Injuries
       page?
       If it doesn't, then the guy that updates it should hang his head
       in shame :-)
       #Post#: 144215--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: Q
       Date: October 29, 2025, 8:51 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Rugbycat link ---
       >
       > since he is outside the pay cap English clubs may well match
       the offers from France.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I thought marquee players can't have come from another English
       club, so if he moved to another Prem team, he'd take a massive
       chunk of their salary cap.
       #Post#: 144216--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: Rugbycat
       Date: October 29, 2025, 10:14 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Q link ---
       >
       > I thought marquee players can't have come from another English
       club, so if he moved to another Prem team, he'd take a massive
       chunk of their salary cap.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       You can’t but Bristol were chasing him and it was reported he
       would have been paid more.
       There is a fair bit of wriggle room as looking at the Bath squad
       demonstrates.
  HTML https://premiershiprugby.com/salarycap
       #Post#: 144217--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: boroughquin
       Date: October 29, 2025, 10:29 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Nicholas Piper link ---
       >
       > Any idea when his contract expires at Quins?
       > Although we'd really struggle without him, I hate to see world
       class talent wasted and would love to see how he fairs in the
       French league.
       > Surely he must be considering taking the money now.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Contracted until 2028. I don't think missing out on one squad
       should cause alarm bells to ring. Especially as he made the
       Lions tour.
       #Post#: 144218--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: Quinky
       Date: October 29, 2025, 10:44 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I'd suggest that the non-selection will push him to prove a
       point, and outplay the rivals. Personally I think he's a far
       better option than Fin, and Ford is beginning to show signs of
       age.
       #Post#: 144220--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: poorfour
       Date: October 29, 2025, 11:08 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       With only a week to prepare and RWC ranking places at stake,
       Borthwick and Blackett seem to have gone with continuity from
       the summer, which is a reasonable approach. I expect we will see
       the squad evolve over the course of the AIs and more in the 6N
       when they have a bit more freedom to experiment.
       This autumn, for England, Scotland and Wales in particular, is
       about getting the wins against SH sides who for the most part
       will be better prepared.
       Argentina, Australia, Scotland and Italy are separated by less
       than 3 ranking points, and Argentina are currently the last team
       in the top pool for the draw. England are a little way above
       them in 5th but not so comfortable that they can afford to
       experiment rather than scrap for points.
       Once this series is out of the way, and Blackett has had more
       time with the team, I expect we'll see more of a long term plan
       emerge, but this seems to be most about sticking with what
       worked.
       #Post#: 144225--------------------------------------------------
       Re: England in danger of wasting a maverick talent in Marcus
       Smith
   DIR By: JammyGit
       Date: October 29, 2025, 12:38 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The continuity argument falls apart the moment you look at who's
       been unceremoniously dumped from the summer tour's squad and who
       has been moved around.
       Continuity would see Seb Atkinson still involved. Continuity
       would see Tom Willis continue. Continuity would have Ben Spencer
       at 9.
       Having Ford start at 10 for "continuity" is meaningless when
       he's going to be playing with an entirely new 8, 9, 12, 13
       combo!
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