Northampton Saints
Club Details
Franklins Gardens
Weedon Road
Northampton
NN5
Stadium Capacity: 12,500 (9,500 seated)
Website: www.northamptonsaints.co.uk
Founded: 1880
- 2009/10 Season Preview -
Last year: 8th. After returning to the top flight of English rugby, Northampton did more than accomplish their goal of staying up. In fact, they weren't that far off finishing in the top half of the table. The Saints season was built on an almost perfect home record, losing just once at Franklin's Gardens (to Newcastle in February). But the highlight of the season was without doubt their success in the European Challenge Cup, where they beat Bourgoin in the final.
This year: The mission for Northampton will be to build on their eighth-placed finish. However, in possibly the tightest Premiership yet, the Saints could be up against it - although they would happily accept success again in Europe. Saints haven't gone on any massive off-season spending spree but the players they have brought in are all quality. England Saxons number Phil Dowson and Shane Geraghty will be looking to make a huge impact while former Springbok Brian Mujati and Argentinean Santiago Bonorino will fill the void left by Tom Smith's decision to retire.
Coach: Former England Saxons boss Jim Mallinder took over from now-assistant Paul Grayson to lead Saints back into the top flight with ease. At the Saxons he recorded an impressive fifteen wins in sixteen matches. Add the ECC to the Saints impressive home record to and unbeaten season in National One the previous year...not to much to complain about!
Captain: In July 2009, New Zealand born Dylan Hartley was named Saints captain, replacing Bruce Reihana. At just 23, Hartley has already picked up eight caps for England and made 89 appearances for Saints. According to Mallinder, the new skipper "has matured considerably as a player and as a person over the past few years."
One to watch: South African Juandre Kruger comes from the Blue Bulls' production line of top-class second rowers and quickly became a first team regular after his late arrival last season. Expect big things from the 1.98m, 24-year-old. Former Australia international Dan Vickerman could also be a key player for Saints, although his university commitments mean he will not be available until December.
In: Dan Vickerman (Cambridge University), Santiago Bonorino (Leicester Tigers), Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Brian Mujati (Stormers)
Out: Phil Hoy (Bedford Blues), Ben Lewitt (Bedford Blues), Alex Rae (Bedford Blues), Neil Starling, Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Barry Stewart (Retired), Ben Broster (London Wasps), Will Harries (Dragons), Rob Milligan (Retired), Matt Lord (Retired), Tom Smith (Retired), Lennie Newman (Team Manager)
Squad: Grant Anderson, Joe Ansbro, Chris Ashton, Neil Best, John Brake, James Cannon, Jon Clarke, Christian Day, Alan Dickens, Lee Dickson, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Phil Dowson, Regardt Dreyer, Mark Easter, Barry Everitt, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Owen Giles, Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino, Joe Gray, Scott Gray, Nick Greenhalgh, Dylan Hartley, Mark Hopley, James Ingle, Juandre Kruger, Courtney Lawes, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Chris Mayor, Nils Mordt, Brian Mujati, Euan Murray, Stephen Myler, Liam Neale, Bruce Reihana, Brett Sharman, Paul Shields, Soane Tonga'uiha, Dan Vickerman, Jon Vickers, Roger Wilson.