Marcus Smith: Harlequins fly-half says British and Irish Lions selection is ‘dream come true’ after dominant win over Gloucester

After his British and Irish Lions selection, Marcus Smith provided a dominant fly-half performance for Harlequins against Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership, showing Allianz Stadium just why Andy Farrell made the decision to bring him to Australia. Smith admitted that his Tour selection was a "dream come true" as he revealed what he was doing when he found out the news.

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Marcus Smith said his Lions Tour selection was a "dream come true" after delivering a statement fly-half performance for Harlequins to justify Andy Farrell's decision.

A 38-19 win at Allianz Stadium not only dented Gloucester's hopes of making the play-offs, it also proved exactly why Smith was worthy of battling with Finn Russell and Fin Smith for the Lions No. 10 jersey.

Speaking on TNT Sports to Ugo Monye after an impressive victory, Smith said: "I was a bit of a mess to be honest.

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"I had training in the morning, finished around 12:45 and then 20 minutes of kicking and I needed to bolt home.

"I was pretty nervous but it was a dream come true to be honest. Sitting there waiting to hear my name was a special feeling. I was with my mum and my girlfriend, it was nice."

Quins' chances of making the play-offs are slim, and Smith will head to Australia as the club's sole representative.

With a top-four finish seemingly out of reach, Smith admitted the club were already building towards a better showing next season.

"It's been an up and down season for us, we're quite disappointed where we are," he continued. "We've had some good honest chats this week but we're the lucky ones who get to play at Twickenham, it's a special place, home of English rugby. We said we owe it to ourselves and owe it to the fans who turn up every week.

"I think personally it hasn't been the easiest four or five months. I've learnt a lot about myself and it meant a lot to me to turn up today.

"Very grateful to play at Twickenham with some of my best friends and guys you work so hard for. It's nice to get five points against a very good Gloucester team, so hopefully we can build again for next season."

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'HE'S ABSOLUTELY MAGIC' - FLATMAN

During the game, TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins questioned rugby experts Austin Healey and David Flatman on Smith's Lions inclusion, asking the pair if they were surprised by his selection.

"No," replied Flatman. "He's magic, he's absolutely magic. Okay, he hasn't played where he wants to for England, but if you're playing for Australia, midweek or in a Test match, would you rather he's in the team or on the bench, or sitting at home watching the TV?

"You'd much rather he was at home watching on the TV back in the UK. He's magic. He threatens everybody, in every game he plays in he causes problems at some point.

"I think as a pure 10, not many people would argue that George Ford is ahead of Marcus Smith at the moment, he's in better form. However when you've got limited squad numbers, Marcus Smith plays a couple of different positions, like Elliot Daly."

Healey, whilst taking care not to diminish Smith's achievement, offered the thought that Sale Sharks' George Ford was perhaps hard done by in his non-selection.

"I don't want to demean his selection," Healey said. "I won't do that to any of the guys that have been picked. But what I would say is, I thought maybe Ford would have been in the squad.

"We don't know what sort of injuries he's [Smith] carrying currently. He's gonna get a bit of a break before he goes, but when he's fresh, he's bloody good."

Quins welcome Exeter Chiefs next weekend before ending their season with a trip to Bristol Bears, where they could be responsible for a final twist in the play-offs tale as the Bears have Sale and Saracens breathing down their necks.

Watch and stream the Gallagher Premiership finale on TNT Sports and discovery+

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