The reigning champions definitely have the talent to win another title, but can they bounce back?
Northampton Saints won their second title in three years last season, beating Exeter Chiefs in the Twickenham final after coming top of the Gallagher PREM hundred. The Franklin’s Gardens outfit remain one of the most exciting teams in England, and – with a few glaring weaknesses in the squad – this talented Saints side is more than capable of bouncing back. Can they do it on the field?
The new Gallagher PREM season starts on Friday 25 September and The world of rugby will be overview of each team’s chances – together with our judgments of 16 United Rugby Championship side – on the eve of the big start.
Northampton Saints Discussion Points
Watching Northampton in full flow is a hypnotic experience, akin to France at its best. They took 74 points last season – 14 more than in their title year of 2024 – and won the PREM trophy in a thrilling final against Exeter.
The development that started with Chris Boyd has been taken over by Sam Vesty and Phil Dowson and there is a seamless transition of younger talent into the senior ranks, all playing the Saints Way.
The rise of English stars Tommy FreemanAlex Coles, Finn Smith, Alex Mitchell and Henry Pollock burdened the salary cap. This led to George Furbank‘s exit, a wave of turbulence in a sea of calm. A pre-season with a trip to Sri Lanka and a first meeting with the Black Lions suggests the Saints like to do things differently. But expect the same fireworks on the field.
A key player
There’s no escaping Henry Pollock. Even in the off-season, he has been in the limelight, with his promoter Eddie Hearn claiming he has justified his £1m salary due to the income he generates.
Of course, he is Marmite, delighting and infuriating in equal measure. But behind the antics is one seriously good rugby player. In the semi-final against Leicester Tigers, he made 28 carries.
His energy drives the Saints and England. “For him not being a big man, his ability to get through contact is phenomenal,” says Dowson.
Henry Pollock has been in the headlines all season (David Rogers/Getty Images)
One to watch
Why have one exciting young Italian winger when you can have two? Edoardo Todaro, 19, scored ten tries in 13 appearances before suffering a season-ending knee injury in February. Now he has Malik Faisal, five months older and fresh off his debut in Italy, as company Nations Championship.
Both are strong, athletic and quick – and will need to be to earn a spot in this Saints team.
Trainer box
Dowson and Vesty lead an impressive squad with a new defensive coach in Jim Henry, who worked with Bedford. He succeeds Lee Radford who travels to Scotland. Jaco Pienaar and James Craig are set-piece specialists.
Northampton Saints Prediction 2026-27
Our favorites in the title, such is their full conviction. Maybe they will be tired? But probably not.
Northampton Saints 2026-27 quotas
9-4
Vital statistics
Alex Coles did not lose a single PREM game last season. The second row made 15 appearances and scored eight tries.
After making his debut for Italy in the Nations Championship, Malik Faissal moves to Franklin’s Gardens (Grant Down / AFP via Getty Images)
Northampton Saints signing
- Malik Faissal (Zebra Parma)
- Ion Neculai (Parma Zebra)
- Lefty Zigiriadis (Ealing Trailfinders)
- Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders)
- Ben Alexander (Old Albanian)
- James Bennett (Loughborough Students)
- Thomas Rowe (Loughborough Students)
- Jordan Els (Harlequins, short contract)
Northampton Saints ddepartures
- Elliot Millar Mills (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Sam Graham (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Tom West (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- James Ramm (Western Force)
- Tom James (Saracens)
- George Furbank (Harlequins)
- Will Glister (Oundle)
- Marko Manfredi (Valorugby Emilia)
- Emeka Atuanya (Ealing Trailfinders)
- Fyn Brown (Ealing Trailfinders)
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