Marcus Smith has revealed that he will continue with his tea-making duties for Owen Farrell as the duo hope to develop their creative relationship during England’s Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Although both are first-choice fly-halves for their respective clubs – Harlequins and Saracens – they are set to continue their playmaking partnership with Farrell starting at inside centre while Smith will wear the number 10 jersey.
The duo are set to be reunited at England’s training camp in Jersey next week and will be hoping to enhance their understanding on and off the field.
England’s autumn campaign kicks off against Argentina on November 6 and Smith revealed that he and Farrell will continue their bonding sessions over tea, biscuits and a burgeoning Xbox rivalry.
“The relationship is building so hopefully that can translate on to the field,” said Smith.
“I’ll work my hardest to get as close as I can to him, make him as many teas as he needs and hopefully that can translate on to the field.
“We’ll have teas together, catch up, have some biscuits if we’re lucky and we’ll try and spend as much time as we can together to build that rapport.
Challenging each other
“We get on really well, we try to challenge each other. He challenges me, which is brilliant for my development.
“And we have a good time together. We played Xbox together, he always beats me at NBA but I can always get him at FIFA.
“He’s extremely competitive and hates losing at anything. If ever I beat him at anything, I let him know about it but he does the same to me. It’s a mutual respect and relationship that we have.”
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Smith and Farrell were first paired together against the Wallabies at Twickenham during last years Autumn Nations Series but that experiment did not last long as Farrell sustained an ankle ligament injury before missing the Six Nations with the same problem on his other foot.
They helped England to a 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies in Australia but there are still some questions over their partnership.
“My relationship with Owen has improved over the last couple of years. I’ve loved playing with him. He’s a brilliant team-mate and a brilliant player,” Smith said.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and he leads by example. To have him on my side in the four games I’ve played with him has been amazing and has given me an extra confidence boost.”
Smith knows there is a big responsibility on England’s shoulders as the game is yearning for an entertaining autumn as a remedy to the current crises it faces.
With Worcester Warriors and Wasps currently in administration, there are concerns that other financially-beleaguered clubs could follow, while concussion lingers as an ever-present experiential threat.
Added to that, the increasing number of in-match stoppages have taken a toll on Tests and England head coach Eddie Jones has even called for urgent reform and numbers in community rugby have dwindled since Covid-19.
Despite all those negatives, the Premiership is still an entertaining product and Smith sees light at the end of the tunnel.
“I just feel that sport – and especially rugby – comes together when it’s on the back foot,” added the 23-year-old.
“What’s happening will galvanise people, make people dig in and graft to make it right. Not just at the professional level, but at the grassroots as well, which for me is the most important.
Lifting rugby union’s profile
“I encourage people to help in any way they can because I’m sure a lot of people can influence in their own circles and lift the profile of the game, which we need at the minute.
“For those of us players who can still play, the Premiership has provided the chance to showcase what you’ve got. It’s an expression of how the players are feeling because they’re all buzzing to be out there.
“In my short career, more than ever the players are talking about rugby. Everyone’s got their plans and ideas for what it should look like.
“Some of the senior boys have a much bigger opinion than me because they’ve been in the game a lot longer, but I love listening to them.
“If I can help in any way I would love to help because rugby’s been an important part of my life, not just in the first five years of my career, but since I’ve been growing up.
“Our family used to watch my dad play when I was three or four so it’s been in my life the whole time. It’s a brilliant sport, not just as a spectacle, but to bring families and people together.”