Breadcrumbs [Home](/) > [10 Minutes With… Marcus Smith](/markdownify/node/4290) ![10 Minutes With… Marcus Smith ](https://media.slman.com/VxTtc8DwHiEOY_G34Y6pvV-gwgk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fsl-man-130526-site-assets-marcus-smith-hero-thumb.jpg) ![10 Minutes With… Marcus Smith ](https://media.slman.com/yQioa9nodJWiIz1r0ouIk6USvkY=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fsl-man-130526-site-assets-marcus-smith-hero-thumb.jpg) Image: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock [Interviews & Careers](/life/interviews-careers) / 13 May 2026 # 10 Minutes With… Marcus Smith Slick of hair and fleet of foot, Marcus Smith has been a defining figure of English rugby ever since he was discovered as a schoolboy on the playing fields of Brighton. Ahead of this Saturday’s Big Summer Kick-Off at Twickenham, the Lions, England and Harlequins back hitch-kicked his way into a quick chat with SLMan… Image: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/_h4Pcujo1Dfn229dRczSz3vz9Do=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F10-mins-with-marcus-smith-1-v1.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/marcussmith10/) Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock ## Are you a coffee guy, Marcus? I drink yerba mate, the Argentinian drink that’s basically green tea made in a special way. I got into it a few years ago through my teammates Martin Landajo and Santiago Botta. There are a lot of health benefits: it's an antioxidant and it’s slow-release caffeine. It's a way of starting the day off right, as well as ensuring I don't eat too much during the day. Right now, I have it in the morning (while listening to a bit of Justin Bieber off the back of Coachella) and I carry on drinking it in the afternoon. ## What are your favourite food spots in London? Tough question. My favourite would be [Park Chinois](https://parkchinois.com/) off Berkeley Square. I’m also excited about [TEMAKI](https://www.instagram.com/temakihandrollbar/), a small handroll bar where you sit on the bar counter. And I love [Jollibee](https://www.jollibee.uk/), a Filipino fast-food restaurant in Earl’s Court. ## Seen any good TV or films lately? The other week I watched an older film called *Midnight Express* about a guy who gets caught trafficking drugs in Turkey. It’s basically him in prison and the story of how he gets out. I'm about three seasons into *Slow Horses*, which is really good, and I finished *Breaking Bad* as well a few months ago. ## How would you describe your style? I would like to think it’s classy. I enjoy dressing up – smart casual, with a bit of bagginess. Though it always depends on who I'm meeting and the occasion. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/sABXSycTQ1skUN6KGuaym0-5PfY=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F10-mins-with-marcus-smith-2.jpg) ](https://parkchinois.com/) @ParkChinois ## Which brands? [Charles Tyrwhitt](https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home) is a brand that looks after me and I’m very grateful for that. I like their linen in the summer months, especially when I’m heading into London. There’s also [I Love Ugly](https://www.instagram.com/iloveugly/) and [Motorino](https://www.instagram.com/motorino.nb/), which is my friend's company based in Australia and New Zealand. Whenever we go on tour there, I give a fair bit of my kit away to family, friends and kids we meet along the way, and then I try to stash my bag back full of new gear that is different to what you can get in the UK. ## Do you have a signature fragrance? I love [Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=42168&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jomalone.co.uk%2Fproduct%2F25946%2F110447%2Fcolognes%2Fmyrrh-tonka-cologne-intense). I’ve also got one from Spain I bought in a bicycle shop, called [Matador by Ramon Monegal](https://ramonmonegal.com/product/matador/). It smells delicious, fruity and light on the nose, but I'd say my favourite fragrance at the minute is [Louis Vuitton Ombre Nomade](https://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb/products/ombre-nomade-nvprod990245v/LP0095). ## What’s your grooming routine? I'll wash my face, do my minimal beard touch-ups, then my guilty pleasure is a haircut once a week, just to keep the sides short and ready to go. Hair product, I'm currently using [Slick Gorilla Sea Salt Spray](https://slickgorilla.co.uk/) as well as matte wax to keep it out of my eyes. ## Top travel destination in the world? Either the Philippines or Miami. I grew up in the Philippines, so whenever I get the opportunity to go back there – to connect with my family, the local people, and enjoy the beautiful islands on offer – I do. More recently, I've enjoyed going to Miami. I like the buzz of the city, the fact that it's right on the beach, and has a mixture of entertainment. I went to the basketball and the next day lay on the beach. I enjoy the balance of that. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/3XfjA20UGIbB9zbNcWNuQODSjFs=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2F10-mins-with-marcus-smith-3-v2.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/marcussmith10/) Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock; Andronis Arcadia; @ILoveugly ## Where would you recommend in the Philippines? There are a few nice spots, like the islands of Palawan and Coron. I’ve also spent a lot of time in Batangas. Mum and Dad used to have a place there, so we’d spend long weekends and Christmas holidays there. We had a nice little community of friends who went out on the boat and jumped off cliffs. The weather's predictable always sunny and quite humid – so it's a place I’ll cherish forever. ## Do you have a favourite hotel? [Andronis Arcadia](https://www.andronis.com/hotels/andronis-arcadia) on Santorini – for its beach access, the unbelievable service and the impeccable rooms and facilities. In England, I enjoy staying at the [Landmark](https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/) in London, a historic hotel with palm trees in the lobby and really friendly staff. It’s very relaxing. ## From relaxation to recovery, which techniques do you rely on? I'm pretty religious with my recovery. Twice a week I'll have my physio do an hour and a half to two hours of massage. I love massages, and it's important for the muscles to stay loose and relaxed, especially in our sport where it's pretty physical. I love the sauna and ice bath as well. It's important for the body, but it's important for the mind to have some quiet time away from everyone, reflect on the day and plan for the week ahead, so I try to spend a bit of time there most evenings. ## How do you switch off from rugby? When we were younger, my mum wanted my brothers and me to be the Jonas Brothers. But because of school, rugby, football and cricket, I let my musical side go a little bit. Now I've got more time, I enjoy playing guitar or the drums. My brother’s taught me a few different bits on the drums, and I’ve been watching YouTube, trying to learn a few riffs and fills. It's just nice to let off some anger, relax, and be on my own for a bit. I also got into watching football on TV from my auntie and dad. I support Brighton, and we’ve still got three season tickets. Whenever I get an opportunity to go down, I do. [ ![The Landmark Hotel London](https://media.slman.com/OjcML7H_0Bk2J5IJRdg2Okp0XRI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F05%2Fthe-landmark-hotel-london.jpg) ](https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/) The Landmark Hotel London ## What’s your favourite stadium to play in? For Harlequins, it’s probably Welford Road. I enjoy the hostility of the Leicester crowd. It's a very historic stadium, a very successful club, and the fans let you know if you've made a mistake, which I enjoy. For England, my favourite is probably Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Again, it’s hostile, so to beat them there makes it a special place for me. ## What’s special about the [Big Summer Kick-Off ](https://www.quins.co.uk/big-summer-kick-off-2026)this weekend? It’s one of the main reasons why I love playing for Quins. As a club, we’re quite pioneering. We were the first to do the winter Big Game at Twickenham. Now the Big Summer Kick-Off is into its fifth year, and we’re the first team in the league to play at Twickenham twice in one season. It’s summer shirts, everyone's happy, fingers crossed the sun's out, everyone's enjoying a few drinks, and listening to the live music puts a smile on everyone's face before the game. Then hopefully we add to the spectacle by delivering and sending the Quins fans home happy. ## What’s been the biggest moment in your career so far? I would say there was a period in 2021 which will live with me forever. We won the league coming from ninth to fourth, then beat Bristol (the favourites) in the semi-final of the play-offs, and then won the final. The week after, I got my first England cap, which was a special feeling. And then the week after that, I got my first Lions cap. Those three to four weeks were pretty special, and it makes me pretty emotional thinking about it now, because it’s everything I've ever dreamt of happening in such a short space of time. I want to get back to that. This year hasn’t been easy, but having that in the back of my mind gives me hope that we can get that feeling again at Quins. ## And what are you still looking to achieve? First and foremost, I want to be a part of a successful Quins team. It's a special feeling to win with your club, and everything else comes off the back of that. Winning with your best mates that you go to work with every single day with a common goal is something that I really hope I can experience again. It's what dreams are made of. *Watch Marcus Smith in action at* [*Big Summer Kick‑Off* ](https://www.quins.co.uk/big-summer-kick-off-2026)*as Harlequins take on Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 16th May. Buy tickets via the Harlequins website* [*here*](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/harlequins/EDP/Event/Index/2163?position=1)*.* All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. 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