The bond Northampton Saints’ players share off the pitch helped them get over the finishing line to be crowned Gallagher PREM champions for the second time in three years, according to Fin Smith.
The England fly‑half scored a try and two conversions – including a crucial touchline effort that pushed Saints beyond two scores in the closing minutes – as the men in Black, Green and Gold overcame a resolute Exeter Chiefs effort to win 26-17.
Just as they did in 2024, when Saints ended a ten‑year wait to lift the trophy at Bath’s expense, the performance at Allianz Stadium was not their vintage best – but it was enough to ensure the silverware boarded the bus bound for cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday evening.
“We always speak about our super strengths as a team, how much we get on with each other and how much we care about each other. I think on the biggest stages, when it gets a bit squeaky‑bum time, that counts for a lot and it probably got us through two finals,” said Smith.
Smith endured some challenging moments in the final but stuck to his guns, and it was his inch‑perfect grubber that put George Hendy in for his second – and match‑sealing – try.
The clutch moment came at the end of a long and testing season for the 24‑year‑old, who toured with the British & Irish Lions and added to his England caps in the Six Nations.
He said: “I think this time two years ago, I probably would’ve gone into my shell and not made any more mistakes. But with a bit more experience, working a lot more with [Sam] Vesty, speaking with Jonny [Wilkinson] a lot, just trying to take each moment as it comes and not dwell on what’s been – getting out of my own head and letting my body take over – that’s been my message all year. Towards the end of the game it started to go my way a bit more.
“I probably lost a bit of confidence. I had to really tap into that mental side of it and really try to get myself up for games at times. I was probably feeling like I had to fake it a little bit, but that is the job of being a sportsman – you have the highs, you have the lows.”
“It has not been the easiest season, I’ve probably enjoyed my rugby slightly more than I have this year. I won’t dwell on it too much I will be pretty happy when I look back on this with a trophy and a medal.”
It was Smith’s last game alongside captain George Furbank, who signed off his time with the club before his departure to pastures new in the summer with a trophy – something that sat at the forefront of Smith’s mind.
“It feels weird saying this but every night when I went to bed and closed my eyes I had that image of Furbs lifting that trophy just running around my head, it came to life,” he explained. “That was pretty special. It wasn’t the prettiest but I couldn’t really care less to be honest, we’re two times champs and to give the big man a good send off is the main thing today.”