Northampton
Nickname:
Saints
Founded:
1880
Years in Top
Tier: 21
Last Year: 4th
in Prem (65 points), Group Stage Heineken Cup & Anglo-Welsh Cup
Europe:
Heineken Cup
Director of
Rugby: Jim Mallinder
Transfers:
In: George
North (Llanelli), Alex Corbiseiro (London Irish), Khan Fotuali’i (Ospreys),
Salesi Ma’afu (Western Force), Glenn Dickson (Otago), Rob Verbakel (Otago),
Gareth Denman (Rotherham)
Out: Paul
Doran-Jones (Harlequins), Brian Mujati (Racing Metro), Soane Tongahuia (Racing
Metro), Mark Sorenson (Bristol), Ryan Lamb (Leicester), Tom May (London Welsh),
Scott Armstrong (Moseley), Rhys Oakley (Plymouth Albion-Player-Coach), Martin
Roberts (Bath), Tom Hicks (Gloucester), Alex Woodford (Moseley)
Ins: 7
Outs: 11
Northampton has once again opened up their cheque book to
attract the star names that they hope will lead them to a first ever English
title. Chief amongst them is Welsh
winger and British Lion George North.
North is still only 21 and such is the Welsh system he has almost played
as many times for Wales (31) as Llanelli (45).
The Saints will expect a bit more from their star man that’s for sure.
Also joining Northampton is another Lion in Alex
Corbiseiro. Again his club record is
hardly stellar; he has never started more than 6 Premiership games in a
season. Last year he only managed 2
starts for Irish.
Another arriver is the Ospreys’ super Samoan Scrum Half Khan
Fotuali’i, Khan can play in both half back positions so it is not quite clear
if the plan is for him to oust Lee Dickson or Stephen Myler. My bet would be Dickson as Myler is actually
quietly quite good.
A fourth singing is Salesi Ma’afu, the Australian test prop
that played for the Tigers’ A team on trial in 2007 but didn’t make the
grade. Ma’afu and Corbiseiro have been
brought in to replace two Saints legends that have both departed to Racing
Metro in Paris. Tongahu’ia and Mujati
have been virtually ever present since Northampton’s promotion in 2008 and are
the first major part of that team to be replaced. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
In the back line as well as the powerful North last year saw
Luther Burrell come to the fore with his abrasive style, along with strongman
centre George Pisi Northampton won’t be short of impetus in the backs.
Northampton has finished 4th for three
consecutive seasons and I see little to break that trend.
Prediction: 4th
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