Every week earlier than profitable his first cap, the 22-year-old playmaker lifted the Gallagher Premiership crown with Harlequins and had been instrumental in a swashbuckling passage to Twickenham.
Russell has been pressured to withdraw from the bench for Saturday’s conflict with the Sharks due to an achilles harm and he’ll miss the following three video games of the tour, which embrace the opening Take a look at towards the Springboks on July 24.
Smith will fly to Cape City on Sunday to affix up with the Lions squad, who depart Johannesburg the identical day.
“We’re clearly disenchanted for Finn, who has been excellent since he got here into camp in Jersey, however we’re optimistic he’ll nonetheless play an vital position within the Tour,” Warren Gatland stated.
“Now we have two skilled fly halves in Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar, so it is an awesome alternative for the continued growth of Marcus.
“I have been following him carefully for the previous 12 months and I have been impressed with how effectively he is matured as a participant.
“Finn and Marcus are comparable in that they prefer to play with a little bit of freedom so, for me, it is as near a like-for-like cowl as we are able to get. We look ahead to welcoming him to the group in Cape City.”
Extra reporting by Press Affiliation.
https://www.customary.co.uk/sport/rugby/lions-marcus-smith-finn-russell-b945138.html