“George comes from a totally different background, there’s no academy history for him. He played well for Coventry in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Saracens and also scored against Gloucester.”

Smith has taken an unusual route into the top flight, having played for Frampton Cotterell RFC in South Gloucestershire from Under-9s until Colts before joining Bristol-based Old Redcliffians, who played in the fifth tier of English rugby.

During his time at Scotland Lane, the powerful lock also impressed for Somerset as they stormed their way to Twickenham Stadium before defeating Staffordshire 36-20 to lift the 2021/22 Bill Beaumont Division 2 County Championship title.

Smith stepped up into the second tier of English rugby with Coventry ahead of the 2022/23 season and extended his stay into the 2023/24 campaign.

However, in January this year, Smith decided to enter the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme at the same time as former Saintsman Harry Mallinder. But during his time in America, he was approached by Saints and teamed up with the squad in late April.

“I was out in America but it just wasn’t really for me,” said Smith. “I wanted to pursue rugby more than American Football. Shieldsy [Paul Shields, Head of Recruitment and Retention] rang me up asking if I wanted to come in, train with the boys and see if it was the right fit. It felt like home from day one.