Premiership club offer Marcus Smith huge £800,000 per season contract to quit Harlequins
10/15/2024 08:38 AM
Bristol Bears failed in a dramatic attempt to lure England fly-half Marcus Smith to the West Country, despite offering a staggering £800,000 a year.
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According to Rugby Pass, the Bears sought to secure Smith's services when his contract with Harlequins expires at the end of the season.
Fly-Half Search Continues
With a top-class fly-half at the top of their wish list, Bristol put a lucrative three-year deal on the table. However, Smith has opted to extend his stay at Harlequins, signing a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2028.
Interest from Across the Channel
The 24-year-old, who also attracted interest from Top 14 clubs, has chosen stability with Quins, leaving Bristol to reconsider their options in the search for a new playmaker.
Tigers Eyeing Smith
Leicester Tigers, who were also keen on signing Smith, are preparing for the potential exit of Handré Pollard to Japan next summer. Meanwhile, Bristol Bears are aiming to rebuild following several underwhelming seasons, positioning both clubs in the hunt for a high-profile fly-half like Owen Farrell.
Farrell’s Future in Focus
As speculation mounts, Premiership clubs are closely monitoring Owen Farrell's next move. The former Saracens star's potential return to English rugby remains a hot topic as clubs seek to strengthen their squads for the coming seasons.
Although Farrell has not officially retired from international rugby, sources close to the player suggest he may seek a return to the international stage. He remains a contender for the British & Irish Lions squad for their 2025 tour of Australia and is keen to add to his 112 England caps.
Farrell is England’s all-time points scorer, amassing 1,237 points and winning three Six Nations titles, alongside being a World Cup finalist in 2019.
Louis Rees-Zammit's dating history includes Premier League legends daughter and famous YouTuber
Rees-Zammit’s personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend’s daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.
Alicia Scholes
In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit's Welsh roots. He firmly replied, “Wales*”.
In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.
Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.
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