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Marcus Smith nominated for first major accolade of career

25 Nov 2017

Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith

Harlequins have announced that Marcus Smith has been nominated for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2017.

Smith is one of ten nominees that were all aged 17 and under on January 1st, 2017. The ten nominees are then reduced to three with the winner announced at the ceremony at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

A statement on the Harlequins website reads: “18-year-old Smith has enjoyed a breakout season in 2017. The former Brighton College Student joined the full-time Harlequins Academy in July 2017 after helping Harlequins’ U18s to the league title in February of this year.

Smith made his club debut in the opening match of the season against London Irish and was named man of the match in the thrilling away win to Wasps in September.

Following a number of standout performances for Harlequins, Smith has been named in several of Eddie Jones’ wider England squads, most recently as an apprentice player for the Old Mutual Wealth Series.

On his nomination, Smith said: “It’s an incredible honour to be nominated for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award. 2017 has been a fantastic year for me, both for my club and for being called up to the full England squad.

“It’s humbling to be nominated for such a prestigious award alongside other talented sportsmen and sportswomen in their respective fields.”

Smith is one of ten nominees that were all aged 17 and under on January 1st, 2017. The ten nominees are then reduced to three with the winner announced at the ceremony at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

The ceremony will be broadcast on Sunday 17th December, live on BBC One.

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Comments on RugbyPass

TM44 47 minutes ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

You & I have certainly had a few run ins, but I have to say when you're not involved in personal unpleasantries (takes two to tango I know, but man you take offense so easily) you actually write really good insightful interesting posts. Hopefully more of the latter.!

3 Go to comments

DH 1 hour ago

British and Irish Lions squad 2025: 10 losers from Andy Farrell's selection

Mack Hansen is a really good bloke, I'm sure Darcy Graham is a good man too but I think we all know why Hansen is on tour.

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DH 1 hour ago

British and Irish Lions squad 2025: 10 losers from Andy Farrell's selection

I was talking about the manager.

13 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 hours ago

Jordie Barrett produces man-of-the-match showing after benching drama

Serious mistake omitting Barrett for NH. Serious questions remain why the predictable curve balls available to NH against the rush defense were not mitigated for in advance. Leinster did not get tested for the first two rounds but the test was coming.

Look also at the incorrect decision re taking 3 points after the O’Brien ‘penalty where it lands’. The same conference has been happenning for years with the correct decision not often found.

In the URC v Connaught a kick to the corner refusing ane asy kick lead to a Connacht turnover and yellow for Leinster. Connacht scored a try and attacked again for the match against 14. They created an overlap and the tackle of the match saved them before the overlap could be cashed in. Leinster had another kickable penalty and amazingly the conference started again. Barrett ordered a kick at goal to put it out of reach. He was the man who had also saved/won the match for them with that penalty.

Why was this botched decision making not reviewed and eliminated in that match?

It honestly looks like the leadership hole left by Johnny Sexton has not been filled by the coaching group.

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BA 2 hours ago

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Carlos 4 hours ago

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Felipe and Manuel went to Cardinal Newman school and rugby club, ran by Irish priests. One of them left to found St Brendan’s. Newman, St. George’s and St Andrew’s are the traditional upper class Anglo schools of Buenos Aires. Only Newman now sustains great rugby. St George’s previously did and St Andrew’s was a feeder to many clubs.

In 1970 Ireland toured Argentina and the team visited Hurling Club near the city and left them their kits at the end of the tour. The party was memorable. My mother and three brothers played field hockey for Hurling. Also, some of the players visited St Brendan’s.

Some years ago, I met Barry Bresniham at a rheumatology meeting. Sadly he passed away of a brain tumor. Barry was a very charming man and we spoke about that 1970 visit. St Brendan’s posted a picture of him on the front door of the school.

I do know about the Irish. I sincerely appreciate and enjoy Mzilikazi here, for example. But you sound like the Aussie fan OJ. Angry and defensive. Be like the Irish I know and not like a sourpuss.

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Carlos 4 hours ago

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I’m an Argie. We first scrum.

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DC 4 hours ago

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The Lions are a scratch team of players who rarely ever play together. For them to win, they need to be based on the best Home Nation (which still probably Ireland) with a smattering of players from the other nations.

Bare in mind that in 2001 they played the world champions. 2005 they played the greatest NZ team in the history of the All Blacks. 2009 and 2021 SA were the world champions. And NZ were the world champions in 2017. The only series the Lions have won in recent years was against Australia, who were significantly weaker than the other SH teams.

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Ed the Duck 4 hours ago

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JD 6 hours ago

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They are, except when it comes to 10.

Assuming Russell starts as test 10 you have no back up on the pitch. The only option is Kinghorn, but he would need to fill in there during warm up matches which is unlikely.

Only option is Smith in the 23 shirt. This again assumes Kinghorn starting 15. Based on current form that is the case.

Personally I prefer the conventional 5:3 split for the most part.

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RedWarriors 6 hours ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

The point is the ‘Team are not pushing forward’. The team are better in absolute terms but the tactical coaching is poor. If Leinster are not being challenged and weaknesses exposed in matches then that has to be done in the training ground.

That said individual players must take flak. A lot of ire was directed at Snyman, but McCarthy must take flak too. That said what on earth was Keenan doing attempting to rush against Freeman (first try) and Ramm last try. Both times he was caught in no mans land leaving a field of green behind him. For the first try he just needs to hold his ground a little to cover the kick. An overlap was not on. Keenan would have easily reached Freeman, but rishing up made the grubber 100% on.

The Ramm one was equally bizarre. Now NH had caught Leinster short, but they have alot of work to do if Keenan holds his ground. Again he rushed up meaning one pass to Ramm makes the try.

Some players can be rested for 3 weeks, some get rusty. Keenan is one of the latter. But he must do better. All Leinster needed was one of those tries to be averted. Just one.

3 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 6 hours ago

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