Marcus Smith 'dreams' of swapping nations before he retires from playing rugby
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England and Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith has once again shared his ambition to one day don the colours of the Philippines—once his Test career with England comes to an end.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Born in Manila to a Filipino mother and British father, Smith spent the first eight years of his life in the Philippines before moving to the UK.
The 24-year-old has never hidden his pride in his heritage, even sporting tattoos inspired by Filipino tribal designs—and famously wearing underwear featuring the country's flag under his England kit.
With 30 caps already under his belt, Smith remains fully committed to Steve Borthwick's side. However, under current World Rugby eligibility rules, a player can represent another country after a three-year stand-down period, opening the door for a potential future with the Philippines national team.
Speaking during an “Ask Me Anything” session with England Rugby, Smith was quizzed on the possibility of a post-England switch.
"One day I'd love to help and be involved in Philippine rugby, my brother currently plays for the Philippines," he revealed.
"Obviously my heart and my mind are fully with England at the minute, it's a dream of mine to be wearing this kit right now.
” One day that might be different, or when I retire from here, if I get that opportunity—if my body still holds up—it would be lovely to play with both of them."
Smith's strong family ties and patriotic pride could make him a superstar addition to the Philippine national side down the line—and we are absolutely here for it.
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Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade's silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick's 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn’t enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade’s place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he's an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
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