Sawt Falasteen - Mitchell says youthful Smith can be Saints leader in English rugby final

Mitchell and the 22-year-old Smith were key figures in Northampton's rise to the top of the regular-season standings in English rugby union's top flight and the club's 22-20 play-off semi-final win over reigning champions Saracens last weekend.

Scotland stand-off Russell, long acknowledged as one of the game's most exciting players, has been central to Bath's resurgence this term.

Smith is in his first full season at Northampton and made his England debut in February.

But Mitchell said he had no qualms about lining up alongside Smith in front of an expected sell-out crowd of 82,000 in the final.

"Fin has been awesome," Mitchell said Tuesday. "He has been such a leader.

"It's mental to think how young he is and the way he bosses boys around, regardless if it is Courtney Lawes or Alex Waller.

"He really does lead the squad. He has such a calm head on him for such a young lad. He's been fantastic.

"He has shocked me in a way of how good he has been in all aspects of the game, not just on the pitch but off it as well. He has really fitted into the squad and all the boys love him."

Mitchell, man of the match against Saracens, is set to be England's first-choice scrum-half on their upcoming tour of Japan and New Zealand. The 27-year-old has followed a fine World Cup with a strong showing for the Saints.

But he accepts that Toulouse and France star Antoine Dupont remains the pre-eminent No.9 in the game after another stunning display in the Champions Cup final win over Leinster.

"It's annoying when it's your position because everybody looks at you and tries to compare you, but you're not as good!" Mitchell said.

"He's class and it's nice to have someone like that to try to get after and try and do the things he is doing, which is amazing.

"He is one of the world's best and if he carries on doing what he is doing he is going to be one of the best ever."

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST