"Townsend very keen" - Three England hopefuls who could be stolen by other nations - Ruck

“Townsend very keen” – Three England hopefuls who could be stolen by other nations

Three players might choose to abandon England and change their international allegiance before the 2024 Six Nations.

#1. Fin Smith

Wanted by: Scotland

Smith, grandson of former Scotland and British & Irish Lions loosehead prop Tom Elliot, arrived at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from Worcester Warriors where he progressed through the Academy set-up, after beginning his club rugby at Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire before joining Warwick School.

After playing every match for Warriors in the Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy League in 2019/20, he signed on full-time with Worcester’s Academy in the summer of 2020.

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.

Fin Smith of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Gloucester Rugby and Northampton Saints at Kingsholm on 3 December. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

“I have spoken to Fin a few times, prior to this summer and also over the last couple of months,” revealed Scotland boss Gregor Townsend.

“It has been great having conversations with him. He is a young man but he is very mature and understands the game and has very strong links to Gala so that is always a good thing,

He will maybe have to make a decision sooner than people think because he is a very good player,

“I am sure England will be after him as well.”

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