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Dan Biggar: From Helping Fin Smith to Northampton’s Champions Cup Clash
Published: 02:00 BST, 13 April 2024 | Updated: 02:00 BST, 13 April 2024
In October 2021, Northampton’s Dan Biggar was part of a side that defeated Worcester 66-10 in a Premiership clash at Franklin’s Gardens. Fin Smith, then aged 19, was Worcester’s opposing fly-half on the day. Despite the one-sided final score and the Warriors’ struggles at the time, Biggar could see that Smith had a lot of potential and everything he needed to succeed at the highest level.
After the match, Biggar approached Smith to have a chat, ensuring that the heavy defeat didn’t damage the young fly-half’s development. Their conversation was picked up by television cameras and went viral.
Since then, Fin Smith has gone on to replace Biggar as Northampton’s starting fly-half, and the 21-year-old has become an England international this season. With Northampton in the hunt for a Premiership and European double, Biggar and Smith caught up ahead of the Saints’ Champions Cup quarter-final clash with the Bulls.
“It was you putting your arm around me and telling me to keep my chin up. It was pretty cool. I was only just starting out and to have you come over and pick me up a bit was awesome for me because it’s a pretty dark place when you get pumped by that sort of score. It was a casual chat but greatly appreciated from my point of view.”
Biggar, who moved to Toulon in November 2022, has maintained a supportive relationship with Smith, offering guidance and advice as the young fly-half has developed at Northampton. “If I can help him in any way, then I will. Not that Fin needs much assistance at the moment,” Biggar said.
Smith has been impressive this season, with Biggar praising his game management and ability to control matches like an experienced fly-half. The 21-year-old earned his first two England caps during the Six Nations and is now aiming to overtake the likes of George Ford and Marcus Smith in the national team’s pecking order.
Northampton’s attacking style has provided Smith with the opportunity to showcase his skills, though he has also emphasized the importance of their improved defense and exiting ability. “There’s method in the madness!” he said.
As Northampton prepare to host the Bulls in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, Smith is confident in his team’s chances, especially with the South African side missing several of their international stars. “The more help we get the better, to be honest!” he said.
Both Biggar and Smith have experienced the “Blakiston Challenge,” a brutal pre-season fitness test at Northampton that is a testament to the club’s history and values. Though Fin Smith managed to beat Biggar’s time, the camaraderie and hard-working culture at the club have been crucial to the team’s success this season.
With Northampton in contention for a domestic and European double, Dan Biggar hopes his former teammates can end the season with some silverware, especially for departing players like Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam. “The best-case scenario would be to end with a couple of trophies,” Fin Smith said.
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