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#Post#: 149348--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: KentQuin
Date: February 11, 2026, 2:37 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> They wouldn’t necessarily have to. Assuming it’s Steward who
gets injured: Freeman to wing, Arundell to 15, Smith to 12.
>
> And I’d guess if needed Spencer to 9 and Mitchell to the wing.
>
--- End Quote ---
That's a complete reshuffle of the backline. And if Freeman
moves to wing, a centre partnership of Smith at 12 and Dingwall
at 13 is sub optimal at the highest level.
It's a calculated gamble, of course.
It might not happen to England, but before too long
circumstances are going to dictate 'hybrid' players having to
give it 70mins plus in their less familiar position. Going from
back to second row or vice versa I get, but asking a back row to
fill in at centre and be comfortable with the defensive system
and attacking patterns, it seems an awful lot to expect them to
master.
#Post#: 149349--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: February 11, 2026, 3:16 am
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If this general approach is the one England want to stick with
but evolve for the world cup, Fin Smith is the guy most likely
to be in the driving seat if Ford isn't at the top of his game.
England aren't slapping themselves on the back for beating
Wales, especially considering they thrashed them by more last
year, but they are on a long winning streak and clearly doing
something right.
#Post#: 149352--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: February 11, 2026, 3:22 am
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I'm not sure what constitutes slapping themselves on the back
but the half dozen interviews I saw with players and with
Borthwick post game made it clear they were frustrated with
parts of their performance and had plenty to work on.
#Post#: 149354--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 11, 2026, 3:42 am
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--- Quote from: FrostAndFire link ---
>
> No Quins in the 23 hardly a surprise with the way our season
is going, and no doubt Borthwick reckons Fin Smith will link
well with his club mates, of which there are many in the squad.
So it goes. I do find it frustrating that Marcus spends so much
time bench warming and thereby not being available for Quins
when we could really do with having him.
>
> Honestly, if I was him, I might be starting to wonder about a
move to France as Borthwick clearly doesn't rate him.
>
--- End Quote ---
36 months
The qualification period for rugby union internationals changing
countries has been updated to allow players to switch nations
once with approval from the World Rugby Regulations Committee.
This change, effective from August 1st, 2024, means that players
who have already been capped can switch nations if they meet the
criteria of having served a stand-down period from international
rugby for 36 months and being born in the country to which they
wish to transfer or having a parent or grandparent born in that
country.
Does Smudger have a French Connection?
#Post#: 149356--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: February 11, 2026, 3:53 am
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He likes spinach.
#Post#: 149359--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 11, 2026, 4:09 am
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Yes, but did his French Grandad have an allotment?
#Post#: 149363--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: February 11, 2026, 4:35 am
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I don't think Marcus is the sort of character to throw a strop
and run to France to try and qualify for them because he's only
on the fringes of the England team (4 England appearances this
season). I would think much less of him if he did, tbh.
#Post#: 149365--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: February 11, 2026, 4:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> 36 months
> The qualification period for rugby union internationals
changing countries has been updated to allow players to switch
nations once with approval from the World Rugby Regulations
Committee. This change, effective from August 1st, 2024, means
that players who have already been capped can switch nations if
they meet the criteria of having served a stand-down period from
international rugby for 36 months and being born in the country
to which they wish to transfer or having a parent or grandparent
born in that country.
>
>
> Does Smudger have a French Connection?
>
--- End Quote ---
I wasn't suggesting he would try to play for the France national
team. More that a big offer from a club team might seem more
attractive when Borthwick has made it clear that Marcus is third
in line for England, at best, and will only get to play 10 in an
emergency. I suspect he would flourish in a French team.
#Post#: 149368--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: February 11, 2026, 5:08 am
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And by playing in France he can't play for England and 3 years
hence, voila!
As for saying he's not the type to throw a strop...wasn't he
seen several times at Racing.....
After the World Cup, Racing 92, the esteemed French rugby club,
has expressed their interest in acquiring the services of Marcus
Smith, initiating discussions about a potential move to Paris.
According to the Mail Online, Smith has a year remaining on his
contract at Harlequins but Racing are exploring the option of a
buy-out to land him next season.
Finn Russell’s departure for Bath during the summer has prompted
Parisian club to identify Marcus Smith as an exciting
replacement, particularly after his impressive performance at La
Defense Arena in the Champions Cup.
Currently earning approximately £450,000 per season as a player
for Harlequins in the Premiership, Smith could become one of the
highest-paid players globally if he makes the move.
The Rugby Paper had previously reported Racing 92’s keen
interest in signing the talented playmaker at the conclusion of
the 2023/24 season.
Racing, who will be coached by former England boss Stuart
Lancaster, have already confirmed the signing of South Africa
captain Siya Kolisi for next season.
There are unconfirmed reports that Smith faces a battle to make
England’s World Cup squad following the re-emergence of George
Ford.
#Post#: 149369--------------------------------------------------
Re: England vs Scotland
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: February 11, 2026, 5:34 am
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Deadly, that story is 2 1/2 years old.
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