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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Jonny Wilkinson’s role in teaching Marcus Smith to become bulletproof

Marcus Smith has scored 60% of England’s points so far in the Six Nations.
Marcus Smith has scored 60% of England’s points so far in the Six Nations. Photograph: Fabio Frustaci/EPA

Marcus Smith is talking about his haircut. Some of his family love it, others think it is time for a change. It is likely to stay for now but Smith is not ruling anything out if it gets too long and starts affecting his performance. All pretty banal stuff and barely worth mentioning but for the manner in which he dealt with the question.

There is no bashfulness, no awkwardness about discussing his appearance. Just an enthusiastic, well-rounded response that gives little away. Smith turned 23 on Monday, he has only seven England caps to his name but already seems to have mastered the art of engaged deflection.

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