England and British and Irish Lions fly-half Marcus Smith will make his first start for Harlequins after missing last week's Gallagher Premiership Round 2 loss to Saracens.
Ex-Lions boss Warren Gatland has delivered his latest verdict on the development of Marcus Smith, a crucial try-scorer last Saturday for England in their Test series-clinching win over Australia in Sydney.
The England start will hope to line-up against the Wales captain on 26 February.
New England talisman Marcus Smith has tongue-in-cheek quipped that Dan Biggar and his fellow Wales players “were stealing his money” when playing cards with him on the Lions tour in South Africa last year.
Fresh from his mid-tour Lions call-up, Marcus Smith has been chosen on the Harlequins bench for Friday's Premiership clash with Bristol.
Johnny Sexton has broken his Lions snub silence, speaking about call-up Marcus Smith and taking issue with criticism by Warren Gatland.
Marcus Smith was only with the Lions for four weeks of their tour in South Africa but he left an indelible impression on boss Warren Gatland.
The former Ireland and Leinster second row Neil Francis has been sacked from his role as a writer with the Irish Independent for a shocking comment on Lions, England and Harlequins Out-half Marcus Smith.
Irish Independent rugby pundit Neil Francis has been sacked over comments he made on a podcast on July 14th about England and Lions flyhalf Marcus Smith.
Francis has apologised for the comments, saying he would ‘never intentionally or wilfully make a comment to disparage somebody on the basis of the colour of anyone’s skin.’
Harlequins have said that they are 'disgusted by comments made about flyhalf Marcus Smith during a recent rugby podcast discussing the Lions tour.
What a moment this is for 22 year old Marcus Smith to win his first cap for the Lions, having only joined the squad last week he put in a man of the match performance for the Lions as they defeated the Stormers on a scoreline of 49-3.
Test level rookie Marcus Smith has arrived in South Africa accompanied by high hopes that he will go well this Saturday on his Lions debut.
Following his mid-tour call-up, the Lions have now given young out-half Marcus Smith a message on how to play as their No10 versus Stormers.
Ireland's Robbie Henshaw returns from injury, debut for Marcus Smith and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is on the bench for the British and Irish Lions' match with the Stormers
Premiership title champions Harlequins were in the dark as much as everyone else that Marcus Smith was being called up by the Lions.
The biggest statement around the Lions and their gameplan came 7,000 miles away from Johannesburg at Twickenham when Marcus Smith was informed he was to fly out and join the squad.
Ireland coach was left shocked when the Lions called up international rookie Marcus Smith ahead of Sexton over the weekend.
Smith capped a memorable month by earning a Lions call-up midway through spearheading England’s 70-14 rout of Canada.
The player’s madcap month took another remarkable twist.
Marcus Smith piloted England’s 70-14 rout of Canada – unaware he had been called up to the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
England's Marcus Smith has been called up to the British & Irish Lions squad as injury cover for Finn Russell, and the young flyhalf admits he "shaking" at the prospect.
England fly-half Marcus Smith, who has two Test caps, will join up with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa as cover for Finn Russell.
England flyhalf Marcus Smith has been called up by the British & Irish Lions as injury cover for Finn Russell.
Warren Gatland has added the Harlequins star to his squad.
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