Northampton
Last season: n/a
Title odds: 40/1
Opening fixture: home v Worcester, Sunday 7th September
Bouncing back and with plenty of new faces, we ask Bruce Reihana and Jim Mallinder about the season ahead for Northampton Saints…
Was relegation a good thing for Northampton?
JM: It’s our first season with the side in the Premiership so we’re not sure what went on with the relegation but it was good for us because it gave us a chance to regroup on and off the field. We were able to look at the players and see which ones were good enough to take us forward; and there some issues off the filed to take care of and resolve. We’re improving, we’re a relatively young team in terms of being together – we’ve brought in 11 or 12 new signings this year so it will take some time to gel but we know that come first league game we’ll be competitive.
What sort of issues needed resolving?
JM: There were various. What we have got here is a fantastic facility and stadium, fantastic fans, very loyal – they buy their season tickets in their thousands – and we’ve got a board who are focused on doing well. But there were one or two things that needed sorting out…
Has it been a good job to return to club rugby for?
JM: It’s been ideal for myself and Dorian West. I had a good time at Sale, then went to work with England and enjoyed going around the clubs and working with Saxons, but you do miss the day-to-day involvement. The English league is probably the toughest in the world and it’s a long hard season with Europe and the EDF as well, so it’s a massive challenge.
Starting off in National One presumably helped too?
JM: Yeah I think it was good for us as a squad, I think if we’d gone in last year [to the Premiership] we’d have probably struggled again. Instead we’ve been able to develop our own culture and to develop a style of play we’re happy with.
How did you find national one Bruce, did you enjoy playing it?
BR: To be honest with you, yes, I did. It’s a bit of a reality check and takes you back to grass roots rugby. It makes you appreciate what you do have and work that little bit harder.
Did Carlos get targeted much?
BR: As a team we all targeted and they tried to beat us anyway they could, it was a good challenge for us.
Any sides stand out?
BR: Nottingham were pretty good last year and Exeter too, I think they were the best two teams in the division.
What lessons did you learn from the relegation?
BR: How to win games of rugby!
Think you’ll carry that on this season?
BR: I don’t think it’ll be that way at all, we’re not kidding ourselves about the challenge, it’s a massive step up the Premiership and we’re starting at rock bottom.
What are the aims then?
JM: We’re just going for the first five games, that’s vital to us. We’ve got Worcester first up and we’re going to put everything into that. Then, after the first month, we’ll reassess and see where we are.
TRANSFERS
In
Neil Best (Ulster), Ben Broster (Scarlets), Christian Day (Stade Francais), Alan Dickens (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Newcastle), Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (Sale), Ben Foden (Sale), Stuart Friswell (Coventry), Scott Gray (Doncaster), Chris Mayor (Sale), Nils Mordt (London Irish), Roger Wilson (Ulster)
Out
Damien Browne (Brive), Chris Budgen (Exeter), Simon Emms (released), Darren Fox (released), Johnny Howard (Bayonne), Robbie Kydd (released), Mark Robinson (Wasps), Karl Rudzki (Cambridge), Christian Short (Brive), Paul Tupai (Bedford), Ian Vass (Bedford)
Bruce Reihana image by Ros Holder