Few know that England’s men’s national rugby team star Marcus Smith is half-Filipino, he is still in the quiet routine before the game starts and the way he develops, his roots are not missing.
Marcus Smith has emerged as one of the brightest stars in England’s rugby union industry.
Few know he is half Filipino. However in the tradition of quiet before the start and in the way he carries himself, his roots are unknown.
“I’m playing for England, and I’m very proud,” he told Rappler. “But every game, I wear lucky shorts under my jersey with a half-Filipino and half-English flag.”
“That ensures that every time I enter the field, I remember where I came from. I remember my roots. I remember when I picked up a rugby ball for the first time, in Manila.”
Smith, 27, plays as a scrum-half for Harlequins. Born in the Philippines, he represents England internationally after qualifying through descent and residency, having moved to England at the age of 13.
He made his debut for Harlequins aged just 18, becoming one of the youngest players in Premier Rugby history.
His stock rose in 2021, when he guided the club to the league title and cemented his place among England’s elite. Two years later, he took the international stage at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Smith was born in Parañaque to a Filipino mother and an English father before their family moved to Singapore and eventually settled in England.
The values shaped by his Filipino upbringing have remained strong. For Smith, family has been his anchor.
“I think growing up in the Philippines, my mother Suzanne, my father, and my family instilled the ‘family first’ mentality,” he said. “We are very close. They pushed me and encouraged me to achieve my dreams, whether it was in the classroom, building discipline and focus, or just playing with friends.”
“They also developed a sense of unity and love to be around people, which is very important on the field. Rugby is the ultimate team sport.”
That sense of unity runs through the entire Smith family. His brothers, Tomas and Luc, have also embraced the sport, representing the Philippines in international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games.
As children, the trio played for the Manila Nomads, the oldest multi-sport club in the country.
They grew up not only with rugby, but with basketball and community sports in places like Payatas in Quezon City and Makati, created by local coaches and local tournaments.
“Every time I play, I remember to represent all the people who helped me,” Smith said. “The coaches in the Philippines, my friends, my teammates. I remember them, and that drives me to work in a way that makes them proud.”
For his mother, Suzanne Smith, that pride was never measured in trophies throughout their childhood.
“We instilled in them a strong competitive drive and fighting spirit since they were young,” he said. “But more than that, we wanted them to develop a caring heart.”
He admits that he never thought his son could reach such heights in the sport, but the most important thing is that he stayed down.
During Smith’s matches in England, Suzanne often brings Filipino supporters, with home-cooked food and cheers from the stands.
What started as a small squad has rapidly grown into a community.
Smith sees them and is proud of the Filipinos’ support, no matter how small. Even some of them call them he ate and brother like love
“It’s always a great feeling when I walk out of the stadium and see Filipinos in the crowd,” he said. “My mom brings her friends, and sometimes it’s their first time watching rugby.”
“There are more and more Filipinos coming to the games now, and that’s really exciting.”
With many years ahead of him in his career, Smith is embracing a role that goes beyond the field. He knows now that he is carrying the Filipino culture.
“I am proud that I have been able to experience the heritage of the Philippines and share it with my teammates from England, Australia, South Africa, Argentina,” he said. “They all want to visit the Philippines now.”
“Participating in that event shows how special the Filipino people are.”
Asked about playing for the Philippines in the future, Smith wants to keep that option open.
“That’s a dream,” he said. – Rappler.com
