Just a nice, grounded, talented lad. Long may it continue.
He does come across whenever I've heard him as just a genuinely nice bloke
When they came down to Quins Ams Mini & Youth to show off the trophies they were all really nice and down to earth - even though Marcus and Louis were popping in on their way to England camp.
Jess Breach coached the U11s for a bit and happily dragged Marcus and the other players into photo ops with the kids and coaches. Louis had a long discussion with someone about the relative merits of different schools' squads this season - most of whom still had players he knew / had played against.
Tabs talked about his experience of watching the semi final from NZ - which was basically the same as any fan's - and Chim Gale talked about watching it from the coaching box - which was basically the same as any fan's too. Tabs subsequently accepted an offer to coach the 1st XV one evening and I've been told has turned out for the vets on at least one occasion.
Quins have always been pretty down to earth, but this group of players and coaches are even more so than most.
When they came down to Quins Ams Mini & Youth to show off the trophies they were all really nice and down to earth - even though Marcus and Louis were popping in on their way to England camp.
Jess Breach coached the U11s for a bit and happily dragged Marcus and the other players into photo ops with the kids and coaches. Louis had a long discussion with someone about the relative merits of different schools' squads this season - most of whom still had players he knew / had played against.
Tabs talked about his experience of watching the semi final from NZ - which was basically the same as any fan's - and Chim Gale talked about watching it from the coaching box - which was basically the same as any fan's too. Tabs subsequently accepted an offer to coach the 1st XV one evening and I've been told has turned out for the vets on at least one occasion.
Quins have always been pretty down to earth, but this group of players and coaches are even more so than most.
Tabs did do a(n excellent) session with us but hasn’t yet run out for the vets - mainly due to a lack of games actually taking place.
Tabs did do a(n excellent) session with us but hasn’t yet run out for the vets - mainly due to a lack of games actually taking place.
IIRC Tabs had a run out with Laurie’s vets team
IIRC Tabs had a run out with Laurie’s vets team
I think Yareet's point is that Tabs hasn't played for Quins Vets.
If this picture is to be believed, Tabs and Laurie have played together
IIRC Tabs had a run out with Laurie’s vets team
Yup. Old Emmanuel. But not for the Ams. Yet
I thought Marcus was not on top form in Montpellier and made some uncharacteristically poor choices when under pessure from the infringing blitz defence. I wonder how long it will take to rid himself of Eddie's mumbo jumbo?
I wonder how long it will take to rid himself of Eddie's mumbo jumbo?
Anywhere between 3-18 months - a disastrous tour to Australia could finally do for EJ.
Anywhere between 3-18 months - a disastrous tour to Australia could finally do for EJ.
Nope he’ll survive that too.
Going back to the actual subject of the post (remember that?) - is Marcus' time with England the explanation for his patchy performances since? He is clearly not re-energised. Maybe time spent in an EJ squad is energy-sapping. Could he require a comfort break? According to Mike Brown in the Jim Hamilton interview, EJ drives players physically much more than in the club situation.
He really struggled to unlock the rush defence yesterday and looked confused. It was interesting to see in the conflab under the posts, him in the middle and big Joe getting quite vocal and looking more than a tad perturbed about what was being said. I'd have thought that after 2 weeks off sunning himself, he'd get the rest he needed and be rusty for a week or so.
He needs to get his head down this week and work with Snapper on it. Montpelliers tactics can't have been a surprise to them, they've been doing it all season.
Going back to the actual subject of the post (remember that?) - is Marcus' time with England the explanation for his patchy performances since? He is clearly not re-energised. Maybe time spent in an EJ squad is energy-sapping. Could he require a comfort break? According to Mike Brown in the Jim Hamilton interview, EJ drives players physically much more than in the club situation.
Yes. EJ seems to prefer a prescriptive style of play, and I believe that it takes time for Smith to "reboot" into the Quins style. I believe that "reboot" isn't fully done yet.
bbc.co.uk
Agree x 1
View List
X (formerly Twitter)