England and Lions star Fin Smith signs new multi-year contract with Northampton Saints to shut down exit rumours
Published 04/10/2025 at 11:19 GMT+1
England and British & Irish Lions star Fin Smith has shut down rumours of a move away from Northampton Saints, signing a new multi-year deal at Franklin's Gardens. The 23-year-old fly-half has enjoyed a rapid rise at Saints, and the club faced a battle to keep hold of one of England's brightest talents as he entered the final 12 months of his contract.
Highlights: Feyi-Waboso stars as Exeter pull off sensational comeback draw at Northampton
Video credit: TNT Sports
Northampton Saints have confirmed that fly-half Fin Smith has signed a new contract at the club.
The England and British & Irish Lions 10 was linked with a move away from Franklin's Garden in the summer after entering the last 12 months of his contract.
But the 23-year-old has committed his future to Northampton after penning a multi-year contract.
"I’ve loved my time at Saints so far and feel like I’ve developed massively as a person on and off the pitch," said Smith, who joined from Worcester Warriors in 2022.
"I turned up as a 19-year-old a bit naive, probably just happy to find a team after everything that happened at Worcester.
"I have to thank Northampton as a club and a place for helping me figure out who I want to be, how I want to play the game, and what it means to play here – it’s shaped me in a big way."
- PREM side Newcastle Red Bulls 'miss a trick' by parting ways with director of rugby Steve Diamond - 'Rugby has to remain at its core'
- Bath 28 - 16 Sale Sharks: PREM Rugby result as Bath hold off an advancing Sale Sharks to continue their perfect bonus point start at home
Smith has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Saints after succeeding Dan Biggar, picking up the club’s Young Player of the Season award following his debut campaign.
He then steered Saints to the Gallagher PREM title and a Champions Cup semi-final in 2023/24.
Last season he helped the side reach their first Champions Cup final since 2011.
In January 2024 the playmaker made his England debut, and has since earned 11 caps and booked himself a place on the summer's Lions tour to Australia.
"I came here as a young boy who was just trying to find his feet, develop his style, and compete for the shirt," he said. "Saints have elevated me towards those international honours and the British & Irish Lions as well. I believe that being in this environment gives me the best chance to reach my potential.
"A big goal I have written down for the next couple of years is to go to a Rugby World Cup. I’ve absolutely loved my time playing at No. 10 for England through the Six Nations and the Autumn before. That’s something I want to continue doing, and a reason for me wanting to stay playing in the PREM.
"There were other options for me to explore at the end of this contract cycle, but ultimately, staying in Northampton felt right. I am close to my family here, and I genuinely love coming to work every day – being surrounded by my best mates, playing the kind of rugby that suits me, and working within a coaching set-up that brings out the best in all of us.
"As a club, we’re in a period where the core group have been together for a long time, and I believe we can go on to be really successful, win a handful of trophies, and become a dominant force in the league.
"Personally, I want to keep striving to be the best player and person I can be, and be a big part of a successful team at Saints and with England."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/28/image-3724b8d5-6585-4281-bdb3-4cd9eebbf4d4-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'A fabulous score!' - Incredible no-look pass from Ramm sets up Todaro debut try for Saints
Video credit: TNT Sports
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson was effusive in praising the club's young leader.
"It’s a huge testament to this club that we’ve secured Fin’s signature," said Dowson. "Fin is a world-class player who’s been outstanding for us since he joined.
"He arrived at a time that was incredibly difficult for him personally, considering the demise of Worcester Warriors, and then had the added pressure of stepping into Dan Biggar’s shoes. Fin has never once shied away from any of it; he’s not looked back and has more than stepped up into that leadership role at fly-half for us.
"Alongside being a brilliant player on the field, he’s a big part of the group off it. The voice he offers off the field and the connections he has with the cohort here are a vital part of what we’re doing at Saints. That’s clearly something he’s invested in as well.
"One of the things we love about Fin is that he always wants to get better. Even though he’s just gone on a British & Irish Lions tour, he wants more; he wanted to be playing in those Tests. He’s an ambitious player and he thinks that this club is the best place for him to achieve everything he wants to – and of course that’s something we agree with."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement