Marcus Smith conversion: Harlequins fly-half hits both posts and twice the crossbar
04/19/2025 04:55 PM
Marcus Smith came within a whisker of adding two more points for Harlequins on Saturday – but in scenes you have to see to believe, his conversion attempt ended in the most bizarre fashion imaginable.
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Cadan's Comeback Try
The drama unfolded shortly after Cadan Murley, making his return to the Quins line-up, crossed over in the corner to give the hosts a 15-12 lead against Sale Sharks in a pulsating Premiership clash.
It left Smith, the 26-year-old England playmaker, with a testing kick from the left touchline – but if anyone was up for it, it was him.
Wobble Watch Begins
As he struck it sweetly off the tee, the ball initially looked destined to sail through the uprights – even the swirling London wind seemed to be playing ball.
Smith had already turned and jogged back towards his teammates, thinking he'd done the job.
Ping, Ping… Ping, PING?!
But then came the chaos.
The ball clipped one post, bounced down, smacked the opposite upright, ricocheted back onto the first post again – and for a fourth and final touch, danced tantalisingly along the bar before crashing back into play.
TNT Sports commentator Jamie Lyall was left speechless:
"Oh my goodness, have you ever seen that?"
To which co-commentator Austin Healey responded:
"I don't think I've ever seen it hit four times… he thought he had it."
Heartbreak at the Stoop
The crowd was left stunned. No flags went up. No extra points. Just one of the most chaotic missed conversions in recent memory.
If Harlequins miss out on a top-four spot by two points… remember this moment.
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5 Big-Name Stars Set to Miss Out on the Lions Squad – Including Finn Russell!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement just around the corner, the rumour mill is already in overdrive. Andy Farrell's selection promises to be one of the boldest in recent history—and not everyone is safe.
While some players have all but booked their tickets to Australia, others are sweating bullets. Whether it's poor form, fierce competition, or a coach with long memories, a few major names could be on the chopping block.
Here are five shock omissions we think are on the cards—and why their Lions dreams might be dead before the squad is even named…
1. Russell’s Rollercoaster Could Crash Early
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Moments of magic? Always. But consistency? Not so much. Russell's 2025 Six Nations was a mixed bag at best. A missed conversion against England and a disastrous showing versus France have left serious questions about his big-game temperament.
Add in the appointment of Johnny Sexton as Lions assistant coach, and things start looking bleak. In his autobiography, Sexton slammed Russell's 2021 selection as a media-driven hype job—and he hasn't softened since.
"If you want someone reliable in the trenches, you go with Owen Farrell," Sexton recently told The Times, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Russell's "flashy" style. He even spared Marcus Smith, calling him a "generational talent." Finn? Not so lucky.
2. Ringrose Running Out of Time
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Not long ago, Ringrose looked like a nailed-on Lion. But a rocky Six Nations campaign could have sunk his chances. He was solid in Ireland's first couple of games, then saw red against Wales and missed the crunch clash with France. His return against Italy? Ropey.
He's still a classy operator on his day, but with Farrell spoiled for choice in the midfield, Ringrose may find himself edged out by younger, more in-form options.
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