How England rugby star's international career was launched in Oxford

He is gearing up for an epic series of rugby for England against New Zealand in Dunedin this weekend, but it was a school 12,000 miles away in Oxford where fly-half Marcus Smith's international career began.

The 25-year-old playmaker was first invited to an England training camp in Oxford by former coach Eddie Jones almost seven years ago at the age of 18 before he had even played a single game of men's rugby.

Smith, who plays club rugby for Harlequins, has said he was thrown into a position "he probably wasn't prepared for" but believes the experience fuelled his desire to represent England.

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He was able to learn from the likes of Owen Farrell and George Ford having been noticed for his rugby talent at Brighton College.

Smith's first training session took place at St Edward's School, an independent, co-educational boarding school in Oxford.

Marcus Smith was first invited to an England training camp in Oxford (Image: PA) Tracy van der Heiden, head of communications for the school, said: "St Edward’s hosted England Rugby several times.

"Pupils and staff were able to watch some of the training sessions which everyone very much enjoyed."

The Philippines-born player has gone on to make 32 appearances for England ahead of the high-stakes series against the All Blacks which starts on Saturday.

A spokesman for England Rugby said: "Marcus attended an England training camp at St Edward’s. Under the previous head coach, Eddie Jones, England would quite often train in Oxford and use St Edward's playing fields to train.

"Pupils are usually very excited to see the England rugby team at their school."

St Edward's School, referred to as Teddies, is set in 100 acres in the north of Oxford.