Leicester Tigers make blockbuster £600,000 offer to England fly-half
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Fin Smith is about to become one of the hottest free agents in the Premiership as his contract with Northampton Saints enters its final year.
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With his value soaring, rivals are circling, and Saints could be left scrambling to keep hold of him, according to Rugby Pass.
England Star on the Rise
The 22-year-old fly-half has impressed on the international stage, earning 12 England caps, and started four of England's last five Six Nations matches. After beating Marcus Smith to the No.10 shirt, his reputation has grown rapidly, and now top clubs are taking notice.
Premiership Title and Player of the Year
Smith helped Northampton claim the 2024 Premiership title, starting in the win over Bath at Twickenham. On top of that, he was named in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season and bagged the RPA Players' Player of the Year award.
With all this success, Smith is undoubtedly due for a pay rise, but Saints might not be able to meet his growing demands with a Lions tour this summer also on the horizon to bolster his already substantial CV.
Leicester Tigers Ready to Pounce
East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers are eyeing up the young star and preparing a hefty £600,000 offer. They have plans to bring in Welsh fly-half Gareth Anscombe for a short-term deal, but once Smith enters the final year of his contract, they'll be ready to make their move. The huge sum on offer will put Saints under pressure to keep their rising star.
Saints Facing Financial Struggles
Northampton Saints are dealing with financial difficulties after losing £1.7 million last year. The club has also expressed support for lowering the £6.4 million salary cap, which would make it even harder for them to keep hold of their prize asset. CEO Julia Chapman predicts a smaller loss this year, but it's still unlikely they can match the offers coming Smith's way.
"Fly-half Says 'Nah' – Four Big Names Out of 2025 Lions Tour
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour kicks off in Australia on July 19, with a three-Test series against the Wallabies. Andy Farrell's squad will be without several big names due to injury, retirement, or club commitments.
1. Ollie Lawrence – Achilles injury ends Lions dream
England centre Ollie Lawrence was widely tipped to make Farrell's Lions squad before suffering a devastating injury. The Bath star ruptured his left Achilles tendon just nine minutes into England's 47-24 Six Nations win over Italy, ruling him out for up to a year.
A Premiership Player of the Season in 2023, Lawrence had become a key figure for Steve Borthwick's England. His explosive running, defensive solidity, and hard-carrying ability made him a strong candidate for the tour. However, with the Lions series beginning in just over three months, his injury has ended any chance of selection.
Lawrence expressed his disappointment on social media: “Lost for words… That's not how I imagined my season to end! The comeback is always greater than the setback.”
Surprise Fact: Lawrence was once in Aston Villa's football academy before choosing rugby.
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