First-Ever Grandson of a Lion Becomes a Lion against Argentina tonight
Rugby NewsFriday, 20 June 2025 at 12:53
History will be made in Mendoza tonight as Fin Smith becomes the first-ever grandson of a British & Irish Lion to wear the famous red jersey himself, starting at fly-half against Argentina.
The 22-year-old playmaker will follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Tom Elliot, a Scotland and Lions prop from the 1950s — and now, Smith is set to carve his own legacy in the iconic shirt.
Here's everything you need to know about the rising star in red:
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
10 Things You Should Know About Fin Smith
1. Born for rugby
Smith was born on 11 May 2002 in Warwick, Midlands. He began playing at Shipston-on-Stour RFC aged just four, before developing further at Warwick School and through the Worcester Warriors academy.
Smith was born on 11 May 2002 in Warwick, Midlands. He began playing at Shipston-on-Stour RFC aged just four, before developing further at Warwick School and through the Worcester Warriors academy.
2. He made his Premiership debut aged just 18
On 27 February 2021, aged 18 years and 292 days, Smith made his Gallagher Premiership debut for Worcester against Gloucester—becoming one of the youngest players in club history.
On 27 February 2021, aged 18 years and 292 days, Smith made his Gallagher Premiership debut for Worcester against Gloucester—becoming one of the youngest players in club history.
3. The Dan Biggar moment
After a crushing 66-10 defeat to Northampton in 2021, Smith became known as “the kid Dan Biggar spoke to” after the Wales legend gave him words of encouragement post-match. The two would later become clubmates.
After a crushing 66-10 defeat to Northampton in 2021, Smith became known as “the kid Dan Biggar spoke to” after the Wales legend gave him words of encouragement post-match. The two would later become clubmates.
4. From club collapse to club champion
When Worcester went into administration in 2022, Smith moved to Northampton Saints. He would go on to win the Premiership and become the team’s Players’ Player of the Year for 2023–24—the youngest ever to do so.
When Worcester went into administration in 2022, Smith moved to Northampton Saints. He would go on to win the Premiership and become the team’s Players’ Player of the Year for 2023–24—the youngest ever to do so.
5. Academic & analytical
He studies Economics and Mathematical Sciences with the Open University. A former tennis prodigy with a temper, he now credits sports psychology and his analytical background with keeping him calm under pressure.
He studies Economics and Mathematical Sciences with the Open University. A former tennis prodigy with a temper, he now credits sports psychology and his analytical background with keeping him calm under pressure.
6. A proud rugby legacy
Though eligible for Scotland through his parents, Smith committed to England. His grandfather, Tom Elliot, was a Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop in the 1950s—making Smith the first-ever grandson of a Lion to become a Lion himself.
Though eligible for Scotland through his parents, Smith committed to England. His grandfather, Tom Elliot, was a Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop in the 1950s—making Smith the first-ever grandson of a Lion to become a Lion himself.
7. England's next general
He won a Grand Slam with England U20s in 2021 and made his senior debut against Italy in the 2024 Six Nations. He’s now part of Steve Borthwick’s Elite Player Squad.
He won a Grand Slam with England U20s in 2021 and made his senior debut against Italy in the 2024 Six Nations. He’s now part of Steve Borthwick’s Elite Player Squad.
8. 2023–24 was his breakout year
Smith led the Premiership in total points (157), and earned a place in the Premiership Team of the Season. He also scooped the RPA Players’ Player of the Year, and was twice voted Player of the Month (Jan ’24 league-wide, Dec ’24 for Saints).
Smith led the Premiership in total points (157), and earned a place in the Premiership Team of the Season. He also scooped the RPA Players’ Player of the Year, and was twice voted Player of the Month (Jan ’24 league-wide, Dec ’24 for Saints).
9. Clutch moments, ice veins
In January 2025, he kicked a match-winning penalty after the clock expired against Bath, claiming man-of-the-match honours. He also ranked top three in line-break assists across the league.
In January 2025, he kicked a match-winning penalty after the clock expired against Bath, claiming man-of-the-match honours. He also ranked top three in line-break assists across the league.
10. Off the field: music, mates & Villa
Smith attained Grade 7 on the trumpet, is a lifelong Aston Villa fan, and says his Mastermind topic would be the club’s history from 2015 onwards. Off the pitch, he lives with Saints teammate Tom Pearson.
Smith attained Grade 7 on the trumpet, is a lifelong Aston Villa fan, and says his Mastermind topic would be the club’s history from 2015 onwards. Off the pitch, he lives with Saints teammate Tom Pearson.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Disgraced Scotland Star Swaps Nations – Set to Face England This Summer
- Dan Carter reveals the one Springbok star that scared him during his career
- Joe Marchant will exit his contract early to return to England
- “Family affair” Ireland boss Paul O’Connell calls up O’Connell
- Meet the rugby WAGS of the English Lions ahead of Australia tour
Full list of referee's for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour:
Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 19 July 2025 – Test Match 1
Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Sat 26 July 2025 – Test Match 2
Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Sat 2 Aug 2025 – Test Match 3
Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!
MORE QUIZZES:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading