Smith won 61 caps for Scotland and played six Tests for the Lions

Northampton Saints prop Tom Smith has predicted a tough battle against Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup final later this month.

The 37-year-old former British Lion, who has spent eight seasons at Franklin's Gardens, will retire from rugby after the match.

"We are the favourites because people in the media say we are," Smith told BBC Radio Northampton.

"But we're all very well aware of how underdogs can react."

He added: "We saw Bourgoin at London Irish [in the quarter-finals] and no-one in the world gave them any hope whatsoever of winning that game.

"But they dominated - both in the set-piece and physically - and came away with a win.

"The game is nearly three weeks away and we need to keep our minds and bodies together and focused."

Saints will take on Bourgoin at Gloucester's Kingsholm ground on 22 May despite complaints about the venue from the French club.

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