Saints give update on England trio with race to make Six Nations start

Fin Smith could be a doubt for England’s Six Nations opener against Wales on February 7 because of a calf injury.

Smith was withdrawn from the Northampton side that fell to a 50-28 Investec Champions Cup defeat at Bordeaux on Sunday just hours before kick-off and is waiting for the results of a scan that will outline a timeframe for his return.

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has revealed the British and Irish Lions fly-half will be out for at least a fortnight, leaving Steve Borthwick sweating on his fitness for the visit of Wales.

George Ford started three of England’s four Tests in the autumn but Smith was given the number 10 jersey against Fiji and was on the bench for the opener against Australia.

“Fin Smith’s dealing with a calf strain. We’re still waiting to see how long that is from a scan point of view,” Dowson said.

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“It’s probably minimum two weeks, but with a muscle injury it’s hard to give a timeline beyond that.

“It’s not months and months and he’s not going to be back this weekend, so somewhere in between that.”

Calf issues are also troubling George Furbank, the England full-back who, according to Dowson, is a “frustrated figure”.

Northampton are taking a cautious approach to Furbank’s return given he was troubled by a significant calf problem in 2025 and has not been able to play since December 20.

“George has felt some tightness in his calves,” said Dowson ahead of Sunday’s final Champions Cup group match against Scarlets at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I don’t think it’s major but at the same time with the history he’s had, we’re going to play it very, very conservatively and be pragmatic.

“That’s based on his injury record from last year and the different things that waylaid him. We just want to make sure that we’re not going through that same cycle again this year.

“He cuts a frustrated figure but he also buys into the fact that he doesn’t want to be in and out. We want to look after him. Once he’s back, we want him to get a run of games in.”

Fraser Dingwall, another of Saints’ England contingent, has been given the all-clear by a specialist to make his comeback on Sunday after he was knocked out against Harlequins on January 3.

Northampton have already qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions Cup but are aiming to finish Pool Four in third place, giving them an easier draw for the round of 16.

Scarlets are bottom of the United Rugby Championship but Dowson said: “A question I’ve been asked is around the Welsh getting stuck into the English and having absolutely nothing to lose here.

“There’s a different flavour to the game and I’m conscious that Scarlets will be coming here with every opportunity to get stuck into us and cause a scene.”