Smith has final word on 'Vesty the genius'

FIN SMITH not only credits head coach Sam Vesty for Northampton's march to the Champions Cup final but also his career.

- By Adam Hathaway

Vesty, right, has masterminded Northampton's attack which put five tries past Leinster in their stunning 37-34 semi-final win in Dublin three weeks ago.

The former Leicester and Bath utility back won two England caps in 2009 and was taken on tour to Argentina as skills coach to the national squad by then-head coach Eddie Jones in 2017.

Vesty was poached from Worcester's staff to coach at Northampton in 2018, with then-director of rugby Chris Boyd describing it as "one of the best decisions I have ever made".

Smith is a fully paid-up member of his head coach's fan club. The Saints fly-half, 23, said: "Vesty is just a rugby genius.