- England fly-half Smith was last week named in the Lions squad for Australia
- Smith’s late grandfather Tom Elliot played for Scotland and was a Lion in 1955
- The 22-year-old’s selection in Andy Farrell’s squad was a proud family moment
As a child, Fin Smith made regular trips to Scotland to visit family relatives and would often be seen wearing the old British & Irish Lions kit of his grandfather Tom Elliot.
Now, the Northampton and England fly-half is set to receive some of his own and follow in his late relative’s footsteps after being selected for this summer’s trip to Australia.
Elliot, a Scotland international and prop, was a Lions tourist in 1955.
Smith could have worn a blue shirt too, but having been born and raised in Warwickshire, he opted for England.
A standout season for club and country earned the 23-year-old a Lions call from head coach Andy Farrell last week as one of three playmakers in a 38-man squad.
‘It’s the pinnacle. It gets me emotional thinking about it,’ Smith said of his selection.
Fin Smith was last week named in the British & Irish Lions squad to take on Australia
Smith (left) was one of four Northampton players named in coach Andy Farrell’s 38-man party
‘I’ve grown up running around in his (Elliot’s) old kit and old blazer. I’ve got his old shirt from 1955 at home. It’s a bit dusty and there are a few holes in it.
‘I’m English and play for England. He obviously played for Scotland, but all I’ve ever wanted to do is replicate him.
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‘To have the chance to do that and wear the same shirt he did is incredibly special. It’s made mum and her side of the family pretty emotional.
‘They half-heartedly cheer for me when I play for England. But following in his (Elliot’s) footsteps is the main thing out of everything with this for me.
‘That’s what makes me prouder than any individual accolade I could have. It’s amazing.’
Smith became England’s first-choice fly-half during the Six Nations.
He led Northampton to last season’s Gallagher Premiership title and this term, has helped them to the final of the Investec Champions Cup. Only Bordeaux stand between the Saints and European glory in Cardiff on May 24.
Smith’s standout display and outplaying of then Lions rival Sam Prendergast in Northampton’s Champions Cup semi-final over Leinster sealed his place on the plane Down Under. He only turned 23 on Sunday.
Smith’s grandfather Tom Elliot played for the Lions in 1955 so he is continuing a family trend
Smith became England’s first-choice fly-half in the Six Nations and has had a fine season
Smith had an anxious wait before finding out he was named in the Lions squad last week
‘It’s mental. The most horrific week of all time. I had sleepless nights and was stressing all day,’ said Smith, reflecting on last Thursday’s nerve-inducing Lions squad announcement.
‘I was an absolute wreck. I don’t really cry but I was bawling my eyes out. I went outside and phoned my parents. They were both sobbing. I was sobbing on the other end of the phone.
‘We didn’t actually say a word to each other. We just watched each other cry and then hung up. It’s something so rare in sport these days that you find out in that manner.
‘It really is that raw. What a day.’
Scotland’s Finn Russell and Smith’s England colleague Marcus Smith are the other two No 10’s travelling to Australia.
Fin Smith’s parents, Andrew and Judith, are both Scottish.
‘This is the first time they’ll be able to cheer for me properly in a little while, so that’ll be nice,’ Fin Smith joked.
‘All I’ve ever wanted to do is prove to myself I can mix it at Test level and I feel like I’ve done that to some extent.
‘That’s been the biggest thing for me. I’ve been really happy with that and it’s nice to see all this stuff coming off the back of it.
‘I didn’t even know the Lions tour was this year until the Six Nations came around. It has been a pretty fast process, but one I have loved.
‘I wouldn’t change it at all.’
