Marcus Smith takes ‘lessons’ from NFL stars as he plots All Blacks revenge and braces for ‘best in the world’ Springboks

NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are among the stars Marcus Smith says he has studied to better understand the life balance required to excel in the role of playmaker.

Smith, the England fly-half, pits his wits against Scotland rival Finn Russell tomorrow when Harlequins play Bath before the international teams head into camp to prepare for the autumn Tests.

He does so with a spring in his step, after steering Quins to their first victory over Saracens in four years, but knowing he needs to keep improving if he is to both lock down the England fly-half spot and get the team winning.

NFL documentaries

To that end he has watched a number of NFL documentaries from the Hard Knocks, All or Nothing and Quarterback series to see how America’s top playmakers live their lives.

Smith, who has 35 caps, said: “Enjoyment is the main reason I picked up a rugby ball in the first place but I’m getting slightly older now and have a slightly different role which requires me to be more pragmatic in terms of my thinking and my leadership.

“What I try to achieve is a balance between pragmatism and enjoyment. There are lessons in other sports we can learn from. Like watching how calm guys like Mahomes and Jackson are in pressure moments, how methodical they are in their thinking.

“Also seeing how hard they work during the week and the fact they’ve got personal lives away from the field as well. It’s massively important to me to keep that balance so you don’t cook yourself.”

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Smith believes there are a number of transferable skills and added: “If you’ve got a free mind, a mind open to ideas and different stimuluses, you’ve got more chance to deliver in the high pressure moments on the field.

“So every time I come and train I try to have a positive energy on the group and myself as well. It takes effort, it takes hard work, but it’s a lot easier to work hard and focus on something and be motivated for something if you thoroughly enjoy the journey.”

England came up short in two Tests against the All Blacks on their summer tour and ahead of the November 2 rematch at Twickenham have had to replace two key coaches.

Smith, the face of a MuchBetter campaign giving away free wearable payment rings, remains bullish about the progress his world number five-ranked team is making and can’t wait to take on last year’s beaten World Cup finalists.

“We owe New Zealand one,” he said. “And while we know it’s not going to be easy, the lads will be bouncing off the walls to get one over on them.

Exciting autumn schedule

“I personally believe that if we pitch up mentally and physically right and get our game right tactically, we have every chance.

“There’s no secret potion or formula. It takes constant dedication to your work, a collective buy-in and a mindset that when bullets are flying around you stick together, have a clear plan and action it.”

Two weeks after the All Blacks, world champions South Africa are at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in a repeat of last year’s semi-final which both teams acknowledge England should have won.

“The key for us is to have no fear,” Smith said. “To fire our shots and go after them on both sides of the ball. We know how physical it’s going to be, but how brave can we be as well to challenge the best in the world.”

Marcus Smith was speaking on behalf of MuchBetter payment rings, to claim your free ceramic ring download the MuchBetter app and create an account.

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