Marcus Smith cleared to return as Harlequins seek first points of the season

Marcus Smith is set to make his competitive return for Harlequins when they travel to Sale Sharks on Sunday, with head coach Jason Gilmore confirming the England fly-half has been back in full training after damaging a finger in a pre-season friendly against Edinburgh.

The news comes at a critical moment for Quins, who sit bottom of the Gallagher Premiership without a point from their opening two fixtures. A 48-0 defeat to Gloucester — the club’s heaviest league loss in 26 years — followed an earlier reverse against Bath, leaving Gilmore under considerable pressure heading into the weekend.

“Smithy’s our quarterback,” Gilmore said. “He’s been back on the training pitch this week, so as long as he can train properly and get through his contact — and, to return to play, there are levels that he needs to get through — then he’ll be ready to go. So he’s on track at the moment.”

Gilmore added that Smith had remained a positive presence despite his frustration at missing the start of the season. “He’s been brilliant behind the scenes, and he’s been out on the pitch this week training. So he’s really excited to get back out there.”

England loosehead Fin Baxter is not expected to feature against Sale but is edging closer to a return after a long-term foot injury that has kept him sidelined since Harlequins’ Champions Cup victory over Bayonne in December. Gilmore indicated Baxter could be available for the Challenge Cup visit of Vannes the following Sunday.

Also nearing a comeback is Samoan tighthead Titi Lamositele, who has been absent for 11 months following a foot injury sustained in a defeat to Gloucester last season. “Hopefully Titi Lamositele isn’t too far away,” Gilmore said. “They’re two pretty important people in our front row for us this year. So we’re not too far away from getting the full squad back.”

The gradual return of key personnel offers Harlequins genuine cause for optimism, but with Sale representing another difficult assignment, Smith’s fitness could prove decisive in whether Quins finally get off the mark.