Injury worry for Saints ahead of Gloucester game as England issue Smith update
Fin Smith could be a doubt for Saints' big Gallagher PREM game against Gloucester on Saturday evening after England announced he is recovering from injury.
The fly-half battled hard for the black, green and gold in their 28-7 defeat to Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last Saturday.
But he was eventually withdrawn with eight minutes to go, bringing Ollie Sleightholme into the action and seeing James Pater switch from full-back to fly-half.
Smith had appeared to be in some discomfort during the first half and was seen limping with an ice pack on his leg after the game.
Smith was one of nine Saints players named in England's 36-man training squad on Sunday night, joining Manny Iyogun, Alex Coles, Tom Pearson, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Archie McParland, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman at Pennyhill Park.
But on Monday morning, England released a squad update, confirming that Gloucester No.10 Charlie Atkinson had been called up to replace Smith, who will remain with the Red Rose to continue his rehabilitation.
If Smith does have to miss Saints' clash with table-toppers Gloucester, Anthony Belleau would be the natural choice to replace him at fly-half.