‘My faith keeps me grounded,’ says Rugby Union star Marcus Smith
The Rugby Union player Marcus Smith has spoken about his Catholic faith in an interview, attributing his ability to keep calm under pressure and remain grounded to his religious observance. In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith, whose mother is from the Philippines, has said the faith played an important part in his upbringing, the The post ‘My faith keeps me grounded,’ says Rugby Union star Marcus Smith appeared first on Catholic Herald.
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The Rugby Union player Marcus Smith has spoken about his Catholic faith in an interview, attributing his ability to keep calm under pressure and remain grounded to his religious observance.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith, whose mother is from the Philippines, has said the faith played an important part in his upbringing, the early part of which was spent in Manila and then Singapore.
“My mum’s family are very religious,” explained Smith, who is widely considered to be the most talented rugby union fly-half in the country today.
“I still pray with her regularly, I continue to read my Bible. It makes me feel grounded, makes me believe that everything’s going to be all right. In the ups and downs of professional sport, you need the ability to stay as neutral and level as possible.
“Don’t think you’re world-class if you win one game, and don’t think you’re the worst player on earth if you lose one. It’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt these past couple of years.”
25-year-old Marcus Smith, who plays rugby union for England and for the premiership rugby club Harlequins, also admitted to having had lapses in his observance.
“I probably went away from it between the ages of 14 and 19 – there were other things I was interested in,” he reflects.
“But when I was 21, I was struggling for form a bit, trying to get in the England mix. So my mum suggested bringing it back. Now I take Holy Communion, I pray every night and every morning. I haven’t stopped. It gives me peace.”
Smith, whose father in English, started playing rugby union at the age of seven for Centaurs RFC when his family moved to Singapore.
At the age of thirteen when his family moved to the UK, he won a sports scholarship to Brighton College, where he captained the school’s 1st XV.
Smith first represented England at Under 16 Level in 2015. In 2017, he became the second-youngest Premiership debutant in history.
(LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Marcus Smith of England in action during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between England and New Zealand All Blacks at Allianz Stadium on November 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
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