Parents in state of shock over last gasp kick

WHEN Fin Smith slotted over the match-winning conversion as England beat France in a thrilling Six Nations encounter, parents Andrew and Judith were proudly looking on from the stand.

And solicitor dad Andrew admits that they are both still in a state of shock the way the match unfolded with the the former Shipston RFC youngster setting up Elliot Daly’s last gasp try before his kick wrapped up a 26-25 victory.

“We are hugely proud and still in a state of shock,” Andrew said. “We had gone through every scenario before the game regarding what might happen but we never imagined it would turn out quite like that.

“You couldn’t really have scripted it. To set up the try that gave England the chance and then to kick the winning conversion was madness. Although it looked like a straightforward kick, he assured me it wasn’t feeling that way down on the pitch when he was lining it up. The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable.

“We went from euphoria with the try to then realising that he then had to take a kick to win it - it felt that a very long time. When he landed the kick it was very emotional. There were a few tears.

“As soon as he could he was over and pretty much jumped into the stand where we were and there were hugs all round. He then spotted his brother Angus and some mates around the other side of the stadium.”

Smith was named man of the match on what was his full England debut.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, the 22-year-old Northampton Saints fly-half said: "In the first half, I was like a bit of a rabbit in the headlights, but I felt like I grew into the game and got more of a feel for what Test rugby is like and what it is like to play at that level.

"I was standing over the final conversion, which felt like the longest minute of my life, thinking this better go over, or otherwise I am going to be in big trouble."

Smith started playing rugby as a four-year-old with Shipston’s minis and juniors along with his elder brother Angus.