Smith had 'simple decision' to stay at Northampton

Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith says it was a "fairly simple decision" to commit his future to the club.

Smith signed a multi-year contract extension at Saints after months of speculation and will become one of the club's best paid players.

The 23-year-old moved to Franklin's Gardens in 2022 following Worcester Warriors' collapse and has made 63 appearances, while also forcing his way into the England set-up.

"It was a big decision for me," he told BBC Look East.

"I have so many great memories. I was really welcomed here when I arrived from Worcester a few years ago.

"This place ticks a lot of boxes. The way we play, the environment, how I can get better every day with the coaches and performance staff. The boys here are my best friends who I get to play with on the weekends."

Smith's signature was one of the most prized in the Prem, with rumours circulating about interest from Newcastle Red Bulls and R360, rugby union's proposed breakaway league.

"It was weird," he added. "I saw the headlines on social media and the teams I was linked with. That's just part of the market I am in.

"I try not to speak to my agent about the white noise. I had options but I spoke with the club, my family and those who mean a lot to me to make sure I was making the right decision.

"Ultimately, I have come to a decision I am delighted with and one I won't look back on. But playing for England and showing what I am best at here [at Northampton] is right at the top [of what I want to do]. It was a fairly simple decision in the end."

This weekend's East Midlands derby against Leicester Tigers will be Smith's first game since the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, having completed his mandatory rest period.

He described the experience as "an absolute privilege", while admitting to being frustrated with his performances on the pitch.

"When I reflect on it, no one can take that series from me," he said.

"It is the pinnacle of the sport, but I have enough self-awareness to realise I didn't play my best rugby on tour and it didn't go as I would have liked.

"But in terms of the experience, the scale, being around the best players in the world is such a brilliant thing.

"Having been away from the game, gone on my holidays, digested that, it's been nice to take the emotion out of it.

"Whilst I might have been on one hand frustrated, what can I learn, what can I take out of it and bring back into this season, how do I keep getting better? It starts this Saturday."

Northampton expect to welcome back all of their four Lions players - Smith, Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell - to take on the Tigers.

"I am desperate to play well but I am well aware that if you try to pull rabbits out of hats and have the best game of your life it will go the other way," Smith said.

"I need to stay nice and calm, do my job and hopefully that will lead to me performing well and impressing the powers that be.

"But first and foremost we need a good result for the town."