Northampton Saints have secured the signature of Fin Smith on a multi-year deal, with the highly-rated young fly-half joining the men in Black, Green and Gold with immediate effect.
The exciting 20-year-old arrives at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from Worcester Warriors where he has progressed through the Academy set-up.
The talented outside-half became the youngest-ever player to start for Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership in March 2021, when he lined up against Bath at the age of just 18 years and 313 days.
He made 31 senior appearances for Worcester, and his form at Sixways earned him a selection for England Under-20s for the 2021 Six Nations in Cardiff. Smith was influential in the Red Rose’s Grand Slam-winning campaign, scoring 31 points in five matches including a try against Scotland.
Smith was named again in England Under-20s EPS for 2022, but did not feature during the Six Nations as he instead held down the No.10 jersey for Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership, during a campaign which also saw him lift the Premiership Rugby Cup with Worcester.
“Fin is definitely a player who has been on our radar for a long time, and the whole coaching group are big admirers of his,” said Northampton’s Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“He is someone that always takes the ball to the line, makes good decisions from an attacking point of view, has a bit of flair about him with an offloading game, and is incredibly brave and tough in defence.
“Everyone from within the Worcester and England Under-20s environments has nothing but good things to say about him. He seems to have a really good variation on his kicking game as well, and when you meet him in person you can see how mature, driven and ambitious he is.”
“We always talk about wanting competition within the squad, and I am really excited to see Fin, James Grayson, and Dan Biggar push each other and make each other better as they compete for the No.10 jersey at Saints.”
Smith, grandson of former Scotland and British & Irish Lions loosehead prop Tom Elliot, began playing club rugby at Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire before joining Warwick School.
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OTHER WORCESTER PLAYERS TO FIND NEW CLUBS:
#1. Rory Sutherland to Ulster
Ulster have signed Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland on a short-term deal.
He has made 20 appearances for his country, and won a Lions Test cap against South Africa last year.
#2. Duhan van der Merwe to Edinburgh
The Scottish club have announced the British & Irish Lions and Scotland star winger Duhan van der Merwe is coming back to the capital on a long-term deal, subject to visa, medical and regulatory clearances.
The 6ft 4in, 105kg strike-runner scored 32 tries in 67 appearances for Edinburgh after joining from Montpellier in 2017 – his scintillating form propelling him into the international spotlight after qualifying for Scotland on residency grounds.