Marcus Smith, the England rugby star, recently opened up about the role his Catholic faith plays in helping him stay calm under pressure and maintain balance in the competitive world of professional sports.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Smith explained that his faith has been central to his life, especially during his upbringing in Manila and Singapore, where his mother’s Filipino Catholic roots shaped his early years.

“My mum’s family are very religious,” Smith said.“I still pray with her [his mother] regularly, I continue to read my Bible. It makes me feel grounded, makes me believe that everything’s going to be all right. In the ups and downs of professional sport, you need the ability to stay as neutral and level as possible.”

For Smith, the key lesson learned from his faith is to avoid extremes. “Don’t think you’re world-class if you win one game, and don’t think you’re the worst player on earth if you lose one,” he said. “It’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt these past couple of years.”

At 25, Smith’s journey to success has not always been smooth. He admitted to straying from faith between the ages of 14 and 19, focusing on other interests. But when his career hit a rough patch at 21, as he struggled to break into the England squad, his mother encouraged him to return to his faith.

“I was struggling for form a bit, trying to get in the England mix. So my mum suggested bringing it back,” he recalled. “Now I take Holy Communion, I pray every night and every morning. I haven’t stopped. It gives me peace.”

Smith’s rugby journey began at the age of seven when his family moved to Singapore, where he played for Centaurs RFC. After relocating to the UK at thirteen, he earned a sports scholarship to Brighton College, where he captained the 1st XV. His talent quickly became apparent, and by 2015, he was representing England at Under-16 level. In 2017, at just 18 years old, he became the second-youngest player to debut in the Premiership.