Reader TTS

_By Tom Harrington_ WITH THE 2024/25 GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP SEASON STARTING ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH, THE SAINTS WILL FACE BATH IN A REMATCH OF THE 2023/24 FINAL DOWN AT THE REC. After

winning the title in June, Smith and the rest of the Northampton squad only had a few days to truly celebrate their huge achievement, with international duties soon calling the 22-year-old.

However the five-timed capped Englishman believes the loss of core players does not put them out of the running for the title again. “I think it’s always a lot of pressure and everyone seems

to be gunning for the team that’s won the league and whilst we expect that to happen, we quite like the idea that we’re going to quietly go about our business and hopefully surprise a few

people like we did last year. “They’re obviously great players (Lawes and Ludlam) but we’ve still got a big core of the group that were involved last year and were working hard to replicate

what happened last season. “I’d love for this group to back up what we did last year, I think potentially with some of the outgoings we’ve had maybe some people are writing us off a little

bit, but we’re super confident that we have enough quality to back that up.” After making 27 appearances and scoring 260 points last season for the Black, Green and Gold, Smith relishes the

pressure on his young shoulders and is determined not to carry any extra pressure into the new season. “I think personally the way last season finished has given me a real hunger going into

this season, felt like we had a good season with Northampton and then maybe quite perform how I would have liked over in New Zealand. “So actually it’s been less sort of dwelling on what’s

been and actually been really positive as in I’ve got lots to work on and take into this season, it doesn’t feel too much like pressure I want to be the best player I can be and that’s all

I’m working towards every day.” With the news that England defence coach Felix Jones and head of strength and conditioning, Aled Walters, were stepping down from their roles last week, Smith

echoed the thoughts of his Saints teammates Alex Mitchell and George Furbank, expressing how “stunned” everyone was. Yet the fly half expects the England Board will make the correct

decision in filling their places. “Really surprising, definitely didn’t see it coming. It’s going to be a real shame with those two guys not being around, Aled’s an amazing character and

drives so much of the energy in there and Felix is one of the hardest working coaches and the best rugby brain I’ve come across, so there’s no two ways about it they’re going to be a big

loss. “I guess everyone that’s worked with them would like to thank them for how much they’ve put into us wish them all the best with their future. It was a real shock and a shame but these

things happen.” The infused chemistry of Saints’ backline is no doubt one of their key characteristics in their success. One pairing that shined last season was Fin Smith with his other half

player, Alex Mitchell. The pair were included in Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad and recently took a trip to the southern hemisphere for tests against Japan and the All Blacks. __

“Mitch (Alex Mitchell), he’s one of my best mates, so we spend a lot of time together. We obviously grew, I felt a lot last year and spoke sort of every other day about how we saw the

direction of the team going and how me and him could help drive that. “And off the back of the tour, we’ve had a couple of conversations about things we think England do well and things we

think Northampton do well, and how we can take the best from both and drive that into this season. We’re both just looking to get better day by day and I love playing with him, he’s a joy to

be alongside.”