England fly-half Fin Smith has revealed he once experienced a period of disillusionment with rugby, admitting it was "not a healthy mindset at my age" following the Lions tour. However, with the guidance of Jonny Wilkinson and a new attacking philosophy for the England team, Smith is optimistic about the future and aims to bring renewed excitement to Twickenham.
"I fell a bit out of love with rugby after the Lions tour," Smith stated in an interview. He is now working with Wilkinson, whom he considers a mentor. "I'm lucky enough to know Jonny really well now and have him as a mentor," Smith said.
Smith also acknowledged the team's struggles in the recent Six Nations. "Let's call a spade a spade. We didn’t do very well in the Six Nations," he admitted. "We got a bit wrong."
Despite past doubts, Smith is focused on England's upcoming Nations Championship opener against Australia. He is positioned as a key figure in Steve Borthwick's plans for the No. 10 jersey.
Smith spoke at his former school, Warwick School, where he was interviewed by the Mail's Alex Bywater. He recalled looking up to senior players as a pupil and aspiring to be like them. "I remember being a pupil at Warwick, looking out of a maths lesson, and seeing the first XV kickers. I looked up to them as superstars," he said.
He also touched on the importance of individual flair, referencing his Northampton teammate Henry Pollock's distinctive haircuts. "He’s playing well and with a fancy haircut, people will always talk about you! He’s the most talented individual I’ve ever seen," Smith commented on Pollock.
Smith's fondest Twickenham memory is beating France in the final play of his first England start, an experience that made him feel the stadium "shaking." He aims to recreate that electric atmosphere with the current England squad. "Twickenham is the best rugby stadium in the world. My fondest memory there was when we beat France in the last play on my first England start. I genuinely felt the ground shaking."
