On June 2, 2019, fans throughout the rugby world were introduced to a youthful Marcus Smith as he made his first appearance in an England shirt, as he lined out to face the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Smith could not have asked for a better debut in an England shirt as he ran in a first-half try while kicking over six conversions and three penalties.
It was a game the 26-year-old looks back on fondly, believing it was a pivotal moment early in his career.
Smith said: “It was quite a star-studded Barbarians team, I think. And I don't think there were many of us capped in the England team. I think it was a couple, from what I remember.
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“I think having that opportunity to play at Twickenham that early in my career was a pinch-me moment.
“To pull on the white jersey and do it at Twickenham was something that whetted my appetite and got me excited for the future ahead and probably made me a bit hungrier and more desperate to get more opportunities in the future and go on and get my first cap.”
Smith would have to wait two years for that first England cap, as he shone once again at Twickenham as Eddie Jones’ side beat the USA 43-29.
Again, the Harlequins star would prove a pivotal member of the winning side as he put in a show-stopping performance, touching down for a try and slotting four conversions, which will have impressed Jones and his England selectors.
However, coming into the game, this was not the thought at the forefront of Smith’s mind.
He said: “I remember that first cap fondly; it was just post-Covid.
“We had a good season at Quins that year where we won the league, which was an amazing experience. I was super buzzing for that first cap because obviously it was just after lockdown; fans were starting to come in. I was worried that my loved ones and family couldn't be at the stadium, but luckily, they were there.”
It is now five years later, and the 26-year-old earned his 50th England cap in the Stade de France as Steve Borthwick’s side was part of the most dramatic finish to a Six Nations campaign ever.
While the result may not have gone the way Smith wanted on that evening as Les Bleus emerged 48-46 winners in dramatic fashion with the last kick of the game, it was still a proud moment for the British and Irish Lion.
Smith said: “I didn't expect to be sat here today with 50 caps.
“There've obviously been ups and downs along the way. It was a dream come true for me.
“Growing up as a kid, it was always my dream to play once for England and play once for Harlequins and these sorts of things. And I think over the years, I've really enjoyed every single bit of experience that I've had in an England shirt.
“But on the whole, first, I'm very grateful that the guys in England decided to back me and continuously backed me over the years. As well as that, I've made some lifelong friends and memories in the jersey.
“To be able to do that with Sam Underhill, who's looked after me a lot when I was younger, smashed me a few times in games against Bath, but when we were able to walk out together and lead the boys out, it was a special feeling.”
Smith has been a constant in the England squad for the past five years since his international debut, with a key reason behind this being his availability for selection.
The Harlequins star puts in an incredible amount of tactical preparation ahead of every match, but a major part of this is recovery, with Optimum Nutrition being Smith’s go-to for his body’s rehabilitation.
He said: “At the start of the week, I try and focus on the physical recovery. So, I make sure I have my gold standard Optimum Nutrition, whey protein and casein. These are the products I really like, just for basic muscle repair and growth. And I think that's a nice way to start the week off: post a game on the Saturday, get that into you, and then you're almost ready to go on the Monday for a new week, for a new adventure.
“And then as you build through the week, on Tuesday, I try and make sure that there's no stone unturned.
“I'd make sure that I've done my tackling, I've done my goal kicking, I've done my touch kicking, and I've done my decision-making under pressure so that after the session on Tuesday, before my day off, I'm almost ready to go and play.
“Obviously, pretty knackered after that day's training. So, I'll make sure, again, I have some Optimal Nutrition product just to, overnight. So, I have the casein, which is good for slow release through the night. And then, on Wednesday I try just to clear my mind.
“On Wednesday I'll try and switch off from rugby, get away from it all. Review training at some point during the day so that I'm ready to go on Thursday.”
A key element of Smith’s preparation throughout the week is research and studying. As he looks to analyse the opposition and understand the game plan, he is set to run at the weekend for either England or Harlequins.
While there may be a focus on his own game, as the 26-year-old has matured throughout his career, he has become a leader within both club and international levels.
Smith learned from his experiences as a youthful rugby player coming into a senior changing room as he aims to help the next generation.
He said: “The one thing that sticks out for me is whenever I met a new leader or went to a new environment is how those leaders could make you feel, how they could empower me to bring the best out of myself.
“Obviously, it's daunting enough coming into a new change room as a youngster, let alone if the senior players didn't want to talk to you or stuff like this. So, for me, first and foremost, I try and make any young player feel that they belong there; they feel at home. And those experiences definitely helped me come out of my shell, probably slightly quicker than others, thanks to the senior boys who welcomed me in.”
The 26-year-old is well off retirement and still has plenty of ambitions for both club and country, as he still has hopes of winning a Six Nations with England and representing them at the next World Cup.
However, Smith would want to be fondly remembered by his teammates when he finally makes the decision to retire.
He said: “As a player, I'd like to hopefully be remembered as someone that was exciting, that made people sit on the edge of their seats and made people want to come to watch the games.
“And as a team man. I want to be remembered as someone that was helping the team and trying to do his best to make sure the team gets on the right side of the result.
“As a person, hopefully, I'm remembered by my teammates as a team man, as someone that's super competitive and wants to win at everything. has time for everyone. I think that's massively important.
“Something that my parents taught me from a young age is never get too above your station. And I think that's something that hopefully I can showcase in my personality and me as a man.”
Marcus Smith speaks to SPORTbible thanks to Optimum Nutrition, the UK’s No.1 Sports Nutrition brand: www.optimumnutrition.com/en-gb
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan