Northampton will take on the Saracens this weekend and will be aiming for their first league title since 2014. Credit: PA/Richard Sellers
Northampton The Saints know their «unreliable» reputation precedes reaching their third Premier League semi-final in five years. They also know that only a victory over the Saracens will dispel the image of Northampton as almost a man.
“I don’t think at the moment anyone is talking about our name as a top club ' Captain Lewis Ludlum told the Telegraph. Sport. «I think people talk about Leicester and Saracens as the best clubs in the Premier League, but I don't think people say our name.»
And not in vain. The Saints have beaten all three other semi-finalists this season but also squandered a 39-17 lead to the Saracens and also lost 62-8 to the struggling Bristol Bears. They were the top scorers in the Premier League and also led in almost every attacking metric, from meters taken to average ball speed and failed attempts. But they also lost second in points and tries behind Newcastle Falcons.
'We have a huge point to prove to ourselves'
The last time Northampton won the semi-final was in 2014 when they were in contention for the title. They beat rivals Leicester by the hour last year, missing out on some clear chances, but lost 27–14. In 2019, Exeter scored 40 points against them at Sandy Park. That's why Alex Moon's second row doesn't dispute the «unreliability» allegations.
Alex Moon has had a good season at Northampton and knows how they need to improve. Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers. top tackler with 237. “Look at last year, we put ourselves in the spot to win that game in Leicester and didn't finish it. A couple of years before we were the best team in the top four, we crushed it in Exeter.
“We have a huge advantage to prove to ourselves. We've been in the top four for three of the last four years and we haven't won a single semi-final. There is such a talented group of guys here that this is almost a disservice to us and to everyone who helped. About 20 guys who played a whole bunch of minutes this year went through the academy. The club has invested so much money and time in us. This is to prove to them and to ourselves that we can go and achieve something big.”
In truth, Northampton only do well to consistently reach the playoffs when their playing budget is firmly in the bottom half of the league. However, while fourth place in football is a cause for rejoicing, there is no satisfaction at Franklin's Gardens if they don't make it to their first final since 2014.
«You don't you will see the frustration that fourth place causes. «, — said head coach Sam Vesti. «There is no happiness in getting there. We have to take one more step forward. We are annoyed that we have not progressed further in both seasons.»
Gallagher Premier League table in season 2022/23
Standing in their way is a Saracen team that hasn't lost at the StoneX Stadium in the Premier League or Europe this season. Vesti aims to indicate how far the Saracens have evolved their game from the traditional, conservative plan, finishing behind the Saints in scoring.
'You can't just be a team that goes and scores& #39;
What hasn't changed is the stickiness of the Saracens defensively, the fewest missed passes and attempts due to choppy play. Northampton have no intention of abandoning the high-paced philosophy that former rugby director Chris Boyd brought to the club in 2018, but Ludlam insists they will not be signing on to Kevin Keegan's «we'll score one more than you» template. /p>
“We don't think this is the kind of rugby that wins championships,” Ludlam said. “That's why we've worked so hard to develop our defense. We have shown that we have developed this side of our game. You can't just be a team that goes and scores. You have to have both sides.”
However, no one assumes that this will end with a score of 9-3 in favor of either team. Perhaps the most exciting will be the midfield battle: England captain and 100 caper Owen Farrell against Fin Smith, who effectively replaced British and Irish lion Dan Biggar after the Worcester Warriors went into administration.
This is by far the biggest test of the 21-year-old's nascent career, but Ludlum is convinced Smith has the same level of killer instinct as his famous colleague. “There is no other way,” Ludlam said. «He's got the world at his feet and if he wants to stand up and become famous like these guys, he's got everything in his locker to be able to do it.
«As a half-fly, she's so integral that you take the bull by the horns and command. For such a young guy to come into a new group where he doesn't know anyone and start issuing orders and pulling us in one direction was incredible.”
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