This is our Northampton Saints Gallagher Premiership preview. Do we think the Saints will march on again, or can someone stop them from winning back-to-back league titles?
discussion points
relevant: Bath Rugby Gallagher Premiership Preview
Years of improving skills under former DoR Chris Boyd paid off in glorious fashion in June as Saints won their second English title.
Phil Dowson and attack specialist Sam Vesty have built on Boyd’s work in what could potentially become the England partnership of the future and the result is a team brimming with energy and ambition. The Saints scored more attempts (22) and kick returns (15) than anyone else last season, and once they got over a shaky start, they were unstoppable.
But for all the vigor of the likes of Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme and George Furbank, it was ultimately their resilience that won out. Replacing Courtney Lawes and other Pack stalwarts will be difficult, but Saints will not give up their title easily.
“People are going to come after us and we have to desperately try to get better,” Dowson said. “We have a goal (behind us), but we are confident in how we do business.”
key players
Alex Mitchell dives during the Gallagher Premiership rugby final against Bath (Getty Images)
Alex Mitchell provides tempo for the Saints. England’s number nine had the most try assists in the league last season (11) and his incredible fitness meant he was on the pitch until the final and was able to score the winning try.
One to watch
Is the hype surrounding Henry Pollock justified? We believe so. The teenage flanker has been selected as a player of the U20 Six Nations and is being mentored by Richard Hill. Kenny Logan named him as a Lions wild card pick, but Pollock should play in the Prem. He added a few kilograms of muscle just for the challenge.
coach’s box
The recruitment of Lee Radford as defense coach shortly after his dismissal from Castleford RL was inspired. Dowson and Vesty are the key players, but James Craig and Matt Ferguson add valuable set-piece expertise.
prediction
Can the Saints go back-to-back? It may prove to be more than just that.
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