 Smith representing Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Finlay Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 May 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Warwick, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 87 kg (192 lb; 13 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Warwick School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Finlay Smith (born 11 May 2002) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Premiership Rugby club Northampton Saints and the England national team. [1] [2]
Smith started playing rugby at local club Shipston-on-Stour and Warwick School prior to joining the Worcester Warriors academy. [3] At 18 years and 292 days, Smith became only the second 18-year-old to play for Warriors in the top flight when he made his debut as a replacement against Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm on 27 February 2021. [3]
During 2021, Smith spent a period of time on loan at Ampthill in the RFU Championship.
Smith started for the Warriors side that beat London Irish in the final of the 2022 Premiership Rugby Cup to win Worcester their first ever top-flight trophy. [4]
On 5 October 2022, all Worcester Warriors players' contracts were terminated due to liquidation of the company to which they were contracted. Smith joined Northampton Saints with immediate effect shortly after. [5]
In May 2024, following an impressive season he was named in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season for the 2023–24 campaign. [6] He also won the RPA Players' Player of the Year 2023-24, as voted for by his fellow players across the league. [7]
In January 2025, he scored the winning penalty after the clock had gone red to beat league leaders Bath 35–34 in the Premiership and win man of the match. [8]
Smith was selected for the England under-20 team to compete in the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and contributed significantly, starting in four out of five games and scoring a try against Scotland. [9] England won the tournament and achieved a grand slam. [10] [11] In July 2022 Smith represented the England U20 team during a summer series of games in Italy. [12]
Smith is the grandson of former Scotland and Lions prop Tom Elliot making him also eligible to represent Scotland. [13] [14] [15]
In January 2024 he was called up by Steve Borthwick to the senior England squad for the 2024 Six Nations Championship and made his debut coming off the bench in a win against Italy. [16]
In October 2024, Smith was mentioned on the list of 17 players to get Rugby Football Union (RFU) deals by his Coach, Steve Borthwick. [17]
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