Director of Rugby: Jim Mallinder
Captain: Dylan Hartley
Position 2013/2014: 2nd (Champions after Playoffs)
Predicted Position 2014/2015: 1st
Northampton Saints Season Preview:
Champions from last season Northampton Saints look extremely strong again this season. Jim Mallinder hasn’t added massively to his squad but Saints haven’t lost any of their main players either.
Stephen Myler will again pull the strings from out half and has one of the biggest weapons in world rugby with George North out on the wing, or when he drifts inside to either of the centre positions.
But it’s the pack that does the donkey work for this side, and are led by everyone’s favorite villain Dylan Hartley. England’s first choice hooker has done a fair amount wrong in the last few years, but last season he led his team superbly.
Saints will be hoping that Hartley, along with Alex Corbisiero, Samu Manoa and Tom Wood can continue their dominance up front and provide North, Luther Burrell and Ben Foden with enough quality ball to unlock opposing defences.
Tom Stephenson had a number of impressive outings last season and the England U-20 centre is certainly a player to watch for all rugby fans in this campaign. As the season progresses, Stephenson and Burrell could form one of the deadliest centre partnerships in the Aviva Premiership.
I see Northampton Saints finishing in 1st position in the regular season but perhaps will be beaten in the playoffs.
Players In:
Jon Fisher (Back Row) from London Irish
Alex Day (Scrum Half) from Academy
Joel Hodgson (Scrum Half / Out Half) from Newcastle Falcons
Players Out:
Danny Herriott (Prop) to Jersey
Gerrit Jan van Velze to Worcester Warriors
Ryan Glynn (Scrum Half) to Jersey
Sam Harry (Back Row) Released
Fa’atoina Autagavaia (Full Back) to USO Nevers
Paul Diggin (Retired)
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