Harlequins baffled after Marcus Smith is forced to miss Saracens match

Harlequins are frustrated at being unable to select Marcus Smith for Saturday’s match against Saracens, who have been cleared to pick five England internationals including Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola.

All England players who toured Australia over the summer are mandated to 10 weeks off as part of player welfare protocols, meaning they should have been rested for the first two weekends of the season. Clubs can apply for special dispensation, however, as was the case with Bristol and Ellis Genge last weekend, and Saracens seem to have been successful in gaining permission for Farrell, Itoje, Jamie George and both Vunipola brothers to play at the Stoop.

Harlequins saw their request for Smith to return a week early rejected and hinted at their annoyance in the press release announcing their team. “Unfortunately Marcus Smith was not given clearance to play this week and will continue his mandated rest period following England’s summer internationals,” it read. It is understood that in response to their request, Harlequins were simply referred to the regulations.

Each application is lodged with the professional performance management group, which is made up of representatives from the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’ Association. Eddie Jones is believed to also have a say.

Each case is handled individually and players who had little-to-no game time in Australia are more likely to be allowed to return early. On that basis Quins have selected Joe Marchant and Jack Walker in their squad while players who missed large chunks of last season through injury, such as Farrell or Jack Nowell, who appeared for Exeter last weekend, are also more likely to be approved.

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