Having just pulled the strings in a man‑of‑the‑match performance during Northampton Saints’ Gallagher PREM play‑off victory over Leicester Tigers, a feeling washed over Fin Smith that will resonate with the supporters he had just enthralled.
The England international had orchestrated Saints’ attack in a 45-31 success at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens — which was sold out for a remarkable eleventh time in all competitions this season.
Friday evening’s result means the 24‑year‑old’s third full season with the Club will end in a third major final.
“There are probably only a few times you notice it as a rugby player because you’re so in every game, but as we were walking back in, I thought: ‘I’m so lucky to do this for a job, I’m so lucky to play here.’
“It will be special, and even just from being out and about in the town this week, the amount of people who have told me they’d bought their final tickets before the Tigers game — so we’d better not mess it up — was pretty staggering.
“I think there will be a couple of buses going down, to say the least.”
Saints did not have it all their own way against their East Midlands rivals. Tigers held a first‑half lead and scored five tries across a cinch Stadium contest that delivered high drama.
Smith’s 79th game in Black, Green and Gold proved to be one of his most demanding.
“Thinking back on the games we’ve had in my shortish career so far, that was one of the toughest I’ve been a part of physically,” he said. “The amount of running, the moments when you feel tired after contacts, carries, stuff like that — but boy, it feels worth it.
“I think the whole team put themselves in a pretty dark place, you could see that, but we got ourselves over the line.”
Saints have since learned they will face Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 20 June at Allianz Stadium, following their triumph over Bath in Saturday’s second play‑off encounter — another side with a heavyweight pack akin to the one that travelled to Northamptonshire on Friday evening.
The England and British & Irish Lions star admitted that some nerves had crept into the camp ahead of facing Saints’ oldest rivals.
“Whether we like to admit it or not, we were particularly nervous this week because Leicester, with the style they play, are a tough match‑up for us,” he said. “They’ve got a real power game and, when we’re on it, we can live with that — but we knew we had to be right at our best to go with them.
“Credit to their pack, their front five — they’ve got some quality operators in there — and our pack did a good job sticking with them.
“Their England boys are outstanding, and knowing those lads as well, I know how much they live for that derby. It’s a massive thing for them.
“Particularly Billy Searle and Freddie Steward coming off touch‑and‑go injuries — both probably weren’t expecting to play in this game, but both were exceptional. To come back in having not played much rugby and put in a performance like that is credit to them.”