It was not long ago that Marcus Smith was still adjusting to being back in the fly-half jersey after the World Cup but, make no mistake, he is in the groove now. Smith ultimately proved the difference as Harlequins put on a show in their annual fixture here before Gloucester rallied and almost threatened the most unlikely of comebacks late in the game.
Steve Borthwick will no doubt be pleased but the England head coach will also be concerned about the fitness of Joe Marler, who went off with an arm injury before half-time. Ellis Genge is touch and go for the start of the Six Nations while Bevan Rodd and Val Rapava Ruskin are sidelined, leaving Borthwick significantly light at loosehead prop. “There will be scans and we’ll wait and see,” said Harlequins’ head coach Danny Wilson, who also lost Dino Lamb and Stephan Lewies to injury. “We’re hoping they’re not too bad because they’re big players for us.”
