Marcus Smith to make his 100th Harlequins appearance at the age of 22

March 12, 2021
4197
Ultimate Rugby

Harlequins flyhalf Marcus Smith is set to win his 100th appearance for the Club on Saturday.

Smith, 22, who was this week named the Premiership Player of the Month for February, will join the list of players to have earned 100 appearances in the Quarters this weekend as Harlequins travel to the reigning Premiership and European champions Exeter Chiefs on Saturday as second host third in the league.

Quins’ coaches have made four changes to the starting XV that picked up a bonus-point win at home against Northampton Saints on Sunday, with lock Matt Symons and openside flanker Will Evans returning from injury.

In the backline, wing Cadan Murley replaces the injured Aaron Morris, while Australian international Ben Tapuai starts at inside centre in place of Springbok Andre Esterhuizen, who is rested this weekend.

Harlequins also welcome the return of tighthead prop Will Collier onto the bench, with the England international returning from injury for the first time this season.

9⃣9⃣ Appearances 🃏
1⃣9⃣ Tries 🏉
0⃣2⃣ Drop goals 👟
1⃣4⃣1⃣ Penalties 🎯
1⃣7⃣5⃣ Conversions 🎯
8⃣7⃣4⃣ Points 🔥

Marcus Smith will make his 100th @Harlequins appearance on Saturday at the age of 22 😲 pic.twitter.com/A289FBGZm6
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) March 12, 2021

Commenting, General Manager Billy Millard said: "We've been pleased with the way our game has come on over the last few months. Our set-piece and general forward game have been fantastic, while we're also really pleased to see our defence start to create opportunities for us to score points.

"Exeter will be a big challenge for us this week, we're well aware of where we will have to be on top of our game. This is a great chance for us to test ourselves, it's not often you face the reigning Premiership and European champions. We're looking forward to testing our mettle at Sandy Park.

"It's great to see Marcus hit his century in a Quins jersey. He's a fantastically driven young man. To reach 100 Club appearances at 22 speaks volumes for Marcus as a player and a person, and I know he'll be laser-focused on marking his 100th match with a big win."

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Joe Marler (214)

2. Scott Baldwin (31)

3. Wilco Louw (17)

4. Matt Symons (52)

5. Stephan Lewies (27)

6. James Chisholm (105)

7. Will Evans (32)

8. Alex Dombrandt (65)

9. Danny Care (295)

10. Marcus Smith (99)

11. Cadan Murley (40)