Marcus Smith hopeful tough England trips can benefit Harlequins

Marcus Smith believes his Six Nations experiences with England, coping with the high-pressure visits to Paris and Murrayfield, have boosted his confidence that Harlequins can take the fight to Montpellier in the first leg of their Champions Cup last-16 tie on Sunday.

After starring for an hour in Harlequins’ 41-14 win at London Irish on Sunday, when he set up two of his team’s seven tries, the in-form Smith recognises that a squad with 14 French internationals and two World Cup winners in their ranks are not to be underestimated.

“It’s the biggest tournament in Europe for a club player,” he said. “We don’t want to just take part, we want to win the silverware. We’ve got to fight as they’re a brilliant team and they’re going to throw everything at us.”

Montpellier are top of the French Top 14 but stumbled into the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition, finishing seventh in their group. Quins won all four of their pool games but Smith knows they will have to raise their game.

“I know it’ll be the best version of Montpellier,” he said. “As a group we’re excited for that challenge. We’ll try to take them out of their comfort zone and throw something at them they haven’t seen before.

“That’s the one positive of this group. We’re not fazed by anyone, we back ourselves as individuals and as a group. We’ll work hard this week to put out a cohesive performance, and try to score as many points [as we can] then worry about the second leg. If we can go down there and score four tries we give ourselves a brilliant chance coming back to the Stoop.”

The confidence Smith so effortlessly exudes is what has endeared him to the English public and his dazzling skillset carried Harlequins to a thrilling Premiership victory last year.