The Northampton Saints are about to receive a massive boost with the return of their British and Irish Lions stars this weekend, just in time to face their rivals. After missing the first two games of the season due to mandatory rest periods, players like Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, and Henry Pollock are set to rejuvenate a team that's had a rocky start, despite sitting fourth in the table.
The Saints have experienced dramatic games early in the season, squandering significant leads to settle for a draw against Exeter and witnessing Gloucester stage the biggest comeback in PREM history. However, last-minute heroics from newcomer Anthony Belleau against Gloucester spared further embarrassment. The return of these key players is a welcome development for Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, who expressed his excitement about their comeback, particularly ahead of a high-stakes derby against Leicester. “They’re all competitors, they all love the game and love playing, and they’re itching to get back out there,” Dowson shared.
“It’s fantastic that the first opportunity is Derby Day. It’s going to be a sellout here, it’s a big part of the season and we’re excited about that.”
In addition to the Lions stars, the Saints will also see the return of international players Trevor Davison and Josh Kemeny, both of whom have recovered from their respective injuries. “Just to get any players back, and Trevor Davison has got through his return to play and Josh Kemeny, after a bit of a layoff, is back available,” Dowson noted, highlighting the positive impact of their return on the team's dynamics and selection dilemmas.
However, England's full-back George Furbank will continue his recovery on the sidelines, following a year plagued with injuries. Dowson emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to Furbank’s return to play: “George had a horrible year last year, an annus horribilis. He picked something up a couple of weeks ago, and we’re making sure we’re slow-walking it so he doesn’t have any other setbacks and give him every opportunity.”
This strategic mix of returning experience and careful management of recovering players might just be the formula Dowson needs to stabilize the Saints' season and turn those early leads into victories. As the team gears up for the upcoming derby, all eyes will be on how these adjustments play out on the field.
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The Northampton Saints are about to receive a massive boost with the return of their British and Irish Lions stars this weekend, just in time to face their rivals. After missing the first two games of the season due to mandatory rest periods, players like Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, and Henry Pollock are set to rejuvenate a team that's had a rocky start, despite sitting fourth in the table.
The Saints have experienced dramatic games early in the season, squandering significant leads to settle for a draw against Exeter and witnessing Gloucester stage the biggest comeback in PREM history. However, last-minute heroics from newcomer Anthony Belleau against Gloucester spared further embarrassment. The return of these key players is a welcome development for Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, who expressed his excitement about their comeback, particularly ahead of a high-stakes derby against Leicester. “They’re all competitors, they all love the game and love playing, and they’re itching to get back out there,” Dowson shared.
“It’s fantastic that the first opportunity is Derby Day. It’s going to be a sellout here, it’s a big part of the season and we’re excited about that.”
In addition to the Lions stars, the Saints will also see the return of international players Trevor Davison and Josh Kemeny, both of whom have recovered from their respective injuries. “Just to get any players back, and Trevor Davison has got through his return to play and Josh Kemeny, after a bit of a layoff, is back available,” Dowson noted, highlighting the positive impact of their return on the team's dynamics and selection dilemmas.
However, England's full-back George Furbank will continue his recovery on the sidelines, following a year plagued with injuries. Dowson emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to Furbank’s return to play: “George had a horrible year last year, an annus horribilis. He picked something up a couple of weeks ago, and we’re making sure we’re slow-walking it so he doesn’t have any other setbacks and give him every opportunity.”
This strategic mix of returning experience and careful management of recovering players might just be the formula Dowson needs to stabilize the Saints' season and turn those early leads into victories. As the team gears up for the upcoming derby, all eyes will be on how these adjustments play out on the field.