Fin Smith enters final 12 months of his contract, he could join Premiership rival

Friday, 11 July 2025 at 19:52

bySteven Smith

Fin Smith has entered the final 12 months of his contract with Northampton Saints, who may struggle to match the lucrative offers expected from Premiership rivals.

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The Warwick-born fly-half, capped 12 times by England and a current British & Irish Lions squad member, has seen his profile soar after starting four of England’s last five Six Nations matches, having edged out Harlequins’ Marcus Smith for the No.10 jersey.

Despite helping Saints secure the 2024 Premiership title—starting in their Twickenham triumph over Bath—Smith remains one of England’s lowest-paid internationals, making him a prime target for rival clubs.

He was named in the 2024 Premiership Rugby Team of the Season and voted the RPA Players’ Player of the Year. With his stock rising, multiple clubs are lining up to open talks once the window opens.

Leicester Tigers, Saints’ East Midlands rivals, are closely monitoring the situation. They have confirmed the signing of Wallabies legend James O'Connor as a short term solution as they eye Smith as a long-term solution.

According to RugbyPass, Leicester will be able to table a substantial offer, reportedly having £600,000 in salary cap space available once Smith’s final contract year begins later this summer—a financial challenge Saints may be unable to match.

Northampton, who signed Smith after Worcester Warriors folded, have supported lowering the salary cap amid financial concerns. The club posted a £1.7 million loss last year, and CEO Julia Chapman has advocated reducing the £6.4 million cap to reach sustainability.

But such measures may only increase the likelihood of Smith moving to Welford Road when his deal expires at the end of next season.

Four British & Irish Lions selections Andy Farrell got wrong

Andy Farrell's Lions squad was always going to ruffle feathers — and it hasn’t disappointed. While there’s plenty of talent in the touring party, some of the omissions have left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.

From in-form veterans to world-class game-breakers, a handful of players have every right to feel hard done by. Selection is never easy, but Farrell's calls in these four cases feel more like missteps than masterstrokes.

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Here are four British & Irish Lions selections Farrell got badly wrong…

1. Courtney Lawes – The French Renaissance Ignored

One word: class. Lawes has been rolling back the years at Brive, bossing it in France with the same bruising physicality and smart leadership that made him a Lions mainstay.

Yes, he's 36. Yes, he's stepped away from England duty. But are we seriously saying that counts more than actual form?

Farrell went with James Ryan instead — a solid lock on his day, sure, but he’s barely shown up on this tour. Anonymous in open play, average in the tight.

Hooked early in the second half when he did start. Meanwhile, Lawes is watching on from his vineyard.

2. Jack Willis – The Toulouse Titan Left Behind

This one’s just criminal. Willis has been on fire for Toulouse — arguably the best flanker in Europe, possibly even the world, and yet left at home? Come off it.

He’s dominating Top 14 games alongside world-class names and still gets overlooked because he’s not been playing Test rugby recently?

Ludicrous. If form counts for anything, Willis walks into this squad. And right now, the Lions back row could really use him.

3. Darcy Graham – Small in Size, Giant in Impact

Left out for being... too exciting? Farrell has clearly opted for size and structure over spark, picking Duhan van der Merwe and Mack Hansen instead. But Graham is a walking highlight reel — electric pace, dazzling footwork, and a nose for the try-line.

Hansen’s done little to justify his inclusion, yet keeps getting chances. Graham? Watching from home. Feels like a serious missed opportunity.

4. Freddie Steward – Safe Hands, Strange Snub

Still scratching our heads over this one. Steward is the best aerial fullback in the game. Dependable under pressure. Defensive rock. And in a brutal Test series, you want someone you can trust at the back.

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But Farrell wanted more flair. Fine — but when Blair Kinghorn went down, the call went not to Steward, but to Ireland’s James Osborne, with just eight caps to his name. A fullback selection that made absolutely no sense.