England ace Smith warns Premiership must change to avoid player exodus

England star Marcus Smith warns the Premiership must change the salary cap and fixture schedule to avoid player exodus… as Harlequins fly-half, 24, reveals his desire to play abroad in the future

• Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie among players to agree lucrative moves
• Smith, 24, will be high on the shopping list of Top 14 clubs after the World Cup
• Harlequins fly-half claims more needs to be done to increase viewing figures

Marcus Smith insists English rugby needs to up its game to stop the exodus of star players to France.

The Harlequins No 10 is out of contract in 2024 and will be high on the shopping list of Top 14 clubs after the World Cup.

Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Joe Marchant and Dave Ribbans have all agreed moves across the Channel on big-money deals.

Premiership clubs will have greater financial clout by the time Smith’s contract is up for renewal next year, with the salary cap set to revert to £6.4million plus credits.

However, Smith feels there are other factors at play, claiming more needs to be done to increase viewing figures.

Marcus Smith insists English rugby needs to up its game to stop the exodus of players

‘If you look across to the Top 14, you see the dominance they have in Europe,’ said Smith. ‘For me that’s mainly down to the salary cap. If they’ve got more resources and finances to build their squads then they’re probably going to be in a better position to win those tournaments. 

‘I’ve never personally been further than the Round of 16. When I was younger I wrote in my book that I want to win the Heineken Cup. To do that here in England is extremely tough.

‘Two clubs folded which is never a good sign for the game in the Premiership. You see the viewing numbers in France rising. The number of people watching games over there is a different level to us. There are avenues the Premiership can go down. 

‘I’m biased but I think Quins are playing a big part with games like Big Game and Big Summer Kick off. A bit of variation in the game of rugby, which is so traditional, might entice a different audience to come and watch our games. That hopefully leads to better grassroots participation, an increase in the salary cap, better teams and hopefully European titles come back to England.’ 

He added: ‘I’m still early on in my career. I think obviously I want to experience different cultures, I want to play in different leagues.

‘But I’ll do that when the time’s right, for me, for my family, for my girlfriend and in my development as a rugby player and as a person as well.

‘At the minute I’m loving playing in the Premiership, I’m loving playing for Harlequins, and I guess we’ll see what happens in the future.’ 

Due to international commitments and injury, Smith has made just seven appearances for Harlequins this season. 

The England star will be high on the shopping list of Top 14 clubs after the World Cup

The next Professional Game Agreement is expected to address the issue of club and country clashes and Smith believes it is imperative that international stars should be more regularly available.

‘It’s ironic isn’t it that you play well for your club, you go away, and you miss more games. Therefore, you have less of a chance to influence the club’s performance in the league – and on the training field, too, which is important during a long season. There are amendments that can be made in terms of that.

‘Speaking to other players across the league, they’re all desperate to play for their club – as well as England. So, if there’s a compromise that can be made then both parties will benefit – and not just the league, but the individuals, too. They’ll be much happier in themselves, able to make a proper difference for their club, and able to get more rhythm into their game, which helps them to play better for their country.

‘As well as that, the viewing numbers will hopefully go up – which is important in this day and age.’

Source: Read Full Article