Fin Smith reflects on a journey that has taken him from a fiery young tennis player to one of the most composed and promising fly-halves in European rugby. Now 23, Smith is preparing for the biggest game of his club career the Champions Cup final with Northampton while balancing the pressure of elite sport with the demands of finishing his university degree in economics and mathematical sciences.
His transformation began early. Smith remembers his younger self on the tennis court, furious in defeat and quick to smash rackets. Competing in tournaments alongside future stars like Jack Draper, he learned the pressures of one-on-one competition and how to cope with intense emotional strain. These experiences, though turbulent, gave him a mental resilience that now underpins his performances under pressure in rugby.
It took a conversation with a sports psychologist to trigger a deeper shift in his mindset. Smith was caught in a cycle of perfectionism, unable to let go of mistakes and consumed by the sport even off the pitch. The suggestion to disconnect, to stop watching rugby obsessively and allow his mind to rest, was pivotal. From that moment, he began developing the calm exterior now seen during tense match situations.
That composure was tested on his first start for England against France earlier this year. After a nervy beginning, he shrugged off a charged-down kick and led England to a thrilling victory. What might have once broken him instead became a moment of growth. He jokes about the start now, laughing with teammates and focusing on making the next right decision.
Smith still carries a sharp edge. He thrives on being doubted and dismissed, drawing motivation from media criticism and fan comparisons with other fly-halves like Marcus Smith and Finn Russell. Rather than buckle under pressure, he channels it. His performance in Northampton’s semi-final win over Leinster, a side stacked with Irish internationals, was driven by the desire to prove people wrong.
That semi-final was also a personal duel with Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, both vying for Lions selection. Smith admits to watching Prendergast’s every kick, feeling the competitive tension while keeping his focus on the team’s game plan. The reward came when his name was announced for the Lions tour, an emotional moment he shared with his parents, connecting back to his late grandfather, a Lion himself in 1955.
Despite his rugby commitments, Smith has stayed focused on his studies. His dissertation, due days after the final, explores decision-making in households, the gender pay gap, and how domestic responsibilities are divided. He’s spoken to couples across generations, finding younger ones to be more balanced in sharing work and home duties. Though he jokes he didn’t expect Northampton to reach the final, he now faces the challenge of celebrating and submitting his thesis within 48 hours.
Smith’s teammates see coaching in his future, though he’s intrigued by investment banking. A deep thinker with a love of maths and economics, he might well follow a path outside of rugby. Still, he draws inspiration from athletes like Novak Djokovic, admiring how mental strength and relentless effort can triumph over raw talent.
Calm, driven, and unafraid to face pressure, Smith embodies a new generation of rugby players intelligent, emotionally aware, and ready to rewrite expectations.
