sport news England sensation Marcus Smith admits rugby union is 'MILES behind' the NFL and ... trends now
Rugby is if not in crisis, certainly in trouble.
Premiership sides Worcester and Wasps are fighting for survival and battling severe financial trouble. The impact of head injuries on both current and former players is an issue that won’t go away. Attendances are down this season as the cost-of-living crisis bites.
The sport badly needs a shot in the arm. Thankfully for rugby’s administrators, players like Marcus Smith are around to provide a ray of hope. England and Harlequins fly-half Smith has quickly emerged as the new face of the English game. Still only 23, he is a wonderful talent.
Marcus Smith has admitted he feels a duty of responsibility to the game of rugby and its growth
But as well as guiding the ship for club and country from No 10, Smith is a player who can help attract new audiences to the game. On the field, he is a man people pay to watch.
Off it, his age and background is something which can appeal to those outside of rugby’s traditional market. Smith grew up in the Philippines and is a member of the TikTok generation.
As he sat down to preview Harlequins’ Premiership clash with Northampton on Sunday this week, Smith admitted he is more than aware of the part he needs to play in rugby’s future.
‘I feel very responsible,’ he said.
The England fly half, who has grown to become one of the sport's foremost stars, admitted it lags a long way behind the likes of football
‘Ultimately, we are the patrons for the game at the minute. I guess the flashlight is shining on us and it’s our job to entertain and put on a show for the people who come and support.
‘Obviously it’s a problem at the moment with Worcester and potentially Wasps as well. As Quins, we’re very grateful for our owners but it also shows how fragile it (rugby) can be.
‘You have to enjoy yourself while it’s here. It’s not going to last forever and it’s our roles as players today to lift the profile and inspire the new youngsters in this country, both men and women.
‘Hopefully we can build the game and lift it to a new level.’
Eloquent and engaging, Smith sees the bigger picture. As someone who has already represented the British & Irish Lions, his status as one of rugby’s stars is unlikely to wane in the next decade.
In that sense he is fortunate as some of his Premiership compatriots cling to their jobs at clubs like the cash-strapped Worcester. Many other players have already seen their rugby employment end after the reduction of the league’s salary cap. The huge impact Covid-19 has had on the professional game remains ongoing.
The NFL was another sport that Smith cited as having stormed ahead of rugby in terms of popularity in recent years
‘You see sports like NFL, basketball and football and they are miles ahead of us so we have got some catching up to do,’ Smith said.
‘But I guess we are in a good position because we can see the model works. Hopefully we can market it in our way.
‘It’s not my job to tell other people to
