Northampton have been the best team this season and their players deserved to celebrate the title on Sunday in front of their fans. Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers
Very few people now associated with newly created Gallagher Premier League champions Northampton remember what the club was like in the 1980s. They certainly won't remember that in the summer sheep grazed on the field, and from November to March the surface was a quagmire that left players writhing in the mud for months. These are not just my memories, they come from former England and Lions prop and Saints legend David «Piggy» Powell.
Powell witnessed the club's decline and was instrumental in its gradual recovery during the 1990s and early days of the professional era. His pride was on full display as the Saints triumphed at Twickenham. Northampton is a small town and its rugby team still has the feel of a local club, much like Gloucester.
The Saints have not been big spenders over the years and their triumph is testament to the good-run organization that has created successful and productive youth policy. It is also one of the few clubs that is close to breaking even in terms of annual profit and loss.
Although the final was not a purely attacking one, it was still a superb battle and Bath deserve huge credit for standing up to the challenge for 60 minutes when they were down to 14 men after Beno Obano, their mainstay, was right. sent off for a high tackle.
What has delighted and united Saints fans and neutrals alike this season has been their appreciation of Northampton's attacking prowess. Not only have they topped the table for much of the season and finished first, but they have done so in a manner that has been fascinating to watch. The genesis of this style can be traced back to New Zealander Chris Boyd, whose contribution to this success should not go undocumented. Phil Dawson, director of rugby, and Sam Vesty have built on Boyd's work, conducting their business with restraint but effectiveness.
As attack coach, Westie is overseeing the emergence of several young defenders who are likely to feature on England's upcoming tour of Japan and New Zealand. You can't be sure which players will end up becoming England regulars, but Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme have a strong chance. If these players need to know the intricacies of selection, they need only ask their colleague George Furbank.
Ollie Sleightholm, who scored on Saturday, has impressed this season and could well become a regular for England. Photo: PA/David Davis
Furbank is an interesting character. He had an uneventful start to his England career under Eddie Jones and eventually fell out of favor with Leicester's Freddie Steward. Under another manager, Steve Borthwick, he is back in contention for the number 15 shirt. On Saturday, Furbank was at the center of everything Northampton have done well. He is developing the ability to run instinctive support lines that are not picked up by defenders, much in the manner of former Saints favorite Chris Ashton. Although Furbank is not as big as Steward, this makes him more dangerous and unstable, which regularly tests the defense.
Saints caught the Bath defense too narrow on several occasions before Obano went off and their first two attempts were unsuccessful . scored, although their number was equal. If anything, Obano's red card galvanized Bath more than Northampton, and the likes of Sam Underhill put in outstanding and extremely brave performances, although they were ultimately in vain.
George Fairbank was at the center of much of what Northampton did well on Saturday and throughout the season. Photo: Getty Images/Bob BradfordIronically, it was probably Northampton's defensive work that was responsible for their victory. This aspect of their game has been much better for much of this season and credit must go to former Rugby League professional Lee Radford for that. The same thing happened in the final. When it looked like Bath would secure their most improbable victory, Saints managed to stay disciplined, maintain their line and maintain their lead.
Observers have a natural tendency to focus on what the forwards are doing, but it was the Saints' scraping defense that ultimately ensured their victory. This was especially true when Bath managed to gain momentum late in the game and battled to an unlikely victory with 14 men.
Few players get to go out the way they want, other than the three Northampton stalwarts. this wish was fulfilled. Alex Waller, Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam couldn't have asked for more and the club's 'family' atmosphere couldn't be more evident at Twickenham. For this reason, and for all the reasons stated earlier, Northampton's victory should be welcomed as long-awaited and for the right reasons. Whether they can come to terms with losing such players remains to be seen, but the signs are encouraging and for now they deserve to bask in their glory.
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