# Prem talking points: Smith, Russell and Chessum

> Marcus Smith eyes Australia start after injury scare; Chessum scores for Leicester; Russell's tackle sparks debate.
- Title: Prem talking points: Smith, Russell and Chessum · BBC Sport
- Summary: Marcus Smith eyes Australia start after injury scare; Chessum scores for Leicester; Russell's tackle sparks debate. Marcus Smith starts against Australia…
- Keywords: marcus smith, finn russell, ollie chessum, premiership, leicester, harlequins, bath, rugby union, fin smith, george ford, calf injury, australia
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c620rdnr3rl1o
- Published: 2026-11-02T12:45:59.343+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: marcus smith, finn russell, ollie chessum, premiership, leicester, harlequins, bath, rugby union, fin smith, george ford, calf injury, australia
## Marcus Smith's England return
Marcus Smith last started for England at fly-half 21 months ago after a Six Nations opening round defeat by Ireland.

> it is 21 months since marcus smith last started a match at fly-half for england
## Smith's role shift
Head coach Steve Borthwick prefers Smith as a full-back or versatile replacement after his preferred role as fly-half faltered.

> head coach steve b
## Smith's recent form
Smith helped Harlequins win against Exeter with two tries and key game management after being key to their recent revival.

> his clever support line helped set up a try for cadan murley inside two minutes of saturday's win over exeter
## Smith's Australia start
Smith is the form fly-half pick to start against Australia after Fin Smith's calf injury.

> with first-choice fin smith a major doubt after sustaining a calf injury, marcus smith is the form fly-half pick to start against australia on sunday
## Leicester's top position
Leicester sits top of the table with a 100% record after a 40-38 defeat by Saracens in the opening round.

> leicester could easily be sitting pretty, not only at the top of the table, but also with a 100% record
## Chessum's return
Ollie Chessum returned late to the Prem campaign after a foot injury kept him out until last weekend's win over Northampton.

> a foot injury kept him out until last weekend's win over northampton
## Chessum's performance
Chessum charged down scrum-half Harry Randall in the opening two minutes and secured turnovers for Leicester.

> he charged down scrum-half harry randall in the opening two minutes, wrecking the hosts' line-out
## Russell's tackle incident
Finn Russell bumped George Ford to the floor with a shoulder to the chest and dropped the ball on Ford's head after a penalty.

> russell gathered george ford's chip ahead and, as the referee's whistle blew for a penalty for the visitors, bumped the chasing sale fly-half to the floor with a shoulder to the chest
## Russell's controversy
Russell's tackle on Ford drew criticism after a melee ensued but he escaped censure from referee Anthony Woodthorpe.

> referee anthony woodthorpe could have punished russell with a penalty for breaching the spirit of sportsmanship
## Leicester's contract
Chessum signed a new contract last week after a performance that vindicated his value to Leicester.

> it was a performance to vindicate a bumper new contract, announced last week
## Key takeaway

Marcus Smith starts against Australia after Fin Smith's injury; Ollie Chessum scores for Leicester; Finn Russell's tackle on George Ford draws criticism.