Fin Smith (Image: Getty)
England could be set to unleash an underutilised weapon this weekend, with the rumour mill leaking a possible first start for Fin Smith at fly-half.
After a disappointing second-half collapse in their 27-22 loss to Ireland, England head coach Steve Borthwick is reportedly shaking things up ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France.
Smith’s likely start in the 10 shirt against France will also see Marcus Smith shift to full-back for what will be a rare start in the 15 jersey. The Northampton Saints man has six caps to his name, but all have come from the bench so far in his England career.
His full debut comes at a crucial time, as England look to recover from a painful defeat and avoid further slip-ups in the tournament, while France arrives at Twickenham off the back of a commanding 43-0 win over Wales.
Fin Smith’s tactical precision: A possible game-changer for England
Smith’s technical abilities set him apart from his peers. His attacking flair has been evident for Northampton, but it’s his defensive work that adds another dimension to his game.
“That tackle on Miles Reid was outstanding,” Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson had said, recalling the Saints’ thrilling win over Bath last month.
In a dramatic 24-22 victory, with Northampton trailing by two points in the dying moments of the game, Smith comfortably converted a crucial penalty kick.
“I wasn’t super confident over it, but I have kicked hundreds of thousands of balls in the last five to 10 years,” he later reflected. “I tried to picture myself at the local rugby club kicking a ball and really relax to block out everything.”
Not only did Smith secure the win with that nerveless kick, but he also had a hand in all four of Northampton’s tries and produced the much-talked-about tackle on Reid.
On Thursday, England assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth showered Smith with plenty of praise, saying: “We are blessed with three 10s that can all play international rugby to a high level.
“Fin has had less chance than the rest at the moment, but he is really clear with his game, he is confident without being arrogant and wants to get better. He has all the things that you associate with top 10s.”
Fin Smith (Image: Getty)
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Rise from Worcester Warriors to England’s fly-half
Smith’s breakthrough came at the age of 19 when he joined Northampton from Worcester Warriors, quickly making his mark in the Premiership. His performances for the Saints were impossible to ignore, particularly his defensive prowess.
In one standout moment, Smith famously chopped down the marauding Teimana Harrison of Worcester, leaving an impression on the bosses at his future team that would ultimately lead to his signing. “We understood then that he had the technique and the attitude to defend at the highest level,” Dowson remarked.
Smith’s confidence in his defensive game has made him a standout fly-half in the Premiership. Since the start of last season, Smith has recorded 21 dominant tackles, more than any other back in the league. His success rate in tackles stands at 87%, surpassing both Marcus Smith (76%) and George Ford (83%).
Such stats showcase his potential to offer more than just an attacking spark—he is a complete fly-half. His performances for Northampton Saints have seen him earn rave reviews, including winning the prestigious Rugby Players’ Association’s Players’ Player of the Year award for the 2023-24 season.
Now, it’s up to Smith to make his mark, show that he’s ready for the big stage and deliver the level of performance that England desperately needs.