Smith took a lead role by kicking 16 points and using his deft handling skills to complete a Premiership double over Saracens this season.
After walloping Harlequins 52-7 last week, Saracens paid for a slow start in which Northampton sped into a 17-0 lead to grab a winning edge.
Now the test for Northampton is to repeat this high level of intensity when Munster visit in the Champions Cup on Sunday while Saracens must regroup for a trip to Bordeaux on Saturday.
Northampton boss Phil Dowson said: “We had to respond after the Bristol defeat and we did. But we now have to do it again – that’s the challenge. We were all disappointed last week and the response was clear to see. We want to speak with our actions.”
With an out-of-sorts Owen Farrell substituted in the 70th minute to protect the former England captain’s dodgy hamstring, this was a night when England fans saw Smith’s full potential, perhaps for the first time.
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