ENGLAND prospect Marcus Smith’s attitude has been praised by forwards coach Steve Borthwick.

England are training at Brighton College this week as part of their preparations for the Quilter Cup game against the Barbarians on May 27, as well as the summer tour to South Africa.

Former student Smith is part of the training camp squad but not in the tour party.

But Borthwick, who was first alerted to the fly-half’s talents when Japan were based at the college during the Rugby World Cup in 2015, believes he has the correct attitude to keep developing after an impressive season for Harlequins in the Aviva Premier.

Borthwick told The Argus: “Marcus has been around the squad for a year now.

“I think what he has done for his club this year in his first season – and he is still a young man who has only just left school – shows he is developing really well.

“You can see how hard he is working on his game and you can see how ambitious he is.

“He spends time with people like George Ford and Owen Farrell trying to learn and that is great credit to him.

“If he does that he will continue to develop quickly.”

Smith’s emergence was a highlight for many Quins fans during a disappointing campaign but England head coach Eddie Jones says there are parts of his game that need work.

Borthwick is confident Smith, 19, will make every effort to do that.

“His approach to wanting to learn is fantastic,” said Borthwick.

“From the first time I saw him, he has been excellent in that regard.

“As a young guy to have that attitude, and if he continues that throughout his career, he will have a big opportunity going forward.

“He was about 15 when I saw him first but you could see the talent he had then.

“From a young guy he has been desperate to improve.”