Marcus Smith got straight down to business with Dan Biggar after arriving in the Lions camp
MARCUS SMITH got straight down to business with Dan Biggar after arriving in the Lions camp.
The England fly-half touched down in South Africa on Monday - less than 48 hours after being called-up whilst PLAYING at Twickenham.
Immediately after the 22-year-old rookie arrived in Hermanus he was burying his head in the Lions' playbook for the South Africa series.
Wales fly-half Biggar said: “I've just I've just spoken to him and said if he wants to catch up over dinner later and go through some plays and calls, then we can catch up.
"We'll do whatever it takes us.
"You put yourself in Marcus’ shoes - you would want as many of the senior guys or guys in the know to come up to you and offer as much help and support as you would expect when arriving.
"I'll catch up with him and get him up to speed with what he needs. His rugby has done the talking in the last six months anyway.
"So I'm sure once he’s got the calls and bits and pieces he’ll be well away.
"I will try and settle him in as much as we can and make him feel part of the group.
"It is never easy coming in - especially for a young guy into a pretty senior environment such as this.
"He has had a wonderful year with Quins and I am sure he will fit in no problem at all."
Smith has been capped just TWICE for England and only made his debut against the USA this month.
But he will be expected to feature against The Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday with Owen Farrell and Finn Russell both struggling with injuries.
Boss Warren Gatland said: "He's arrived safely. He said he slept pretty well on the second leg.
"We'll get him up to speed and there's a good chance he'll be involved at the weekend.
"He'll have to go through the playbooks on the laptops over the next few days.
"It'll be bit of a challenge for him, but he's obviously done exceptionally well this season.
"We won't be putting any pressure on him and hopefully he'll get some game time on the weekend."