London Irish's Bob Casey gives some insider details of the challenge posed by Northampton in The Irish Times.
"But there is so much more, not least in the ethos of the club. Director of rugby Jim Mallinder and forwards coach Dorian West champions old-school virtues: the team plays hard, celebrates with a few beers and are a tight-knit bunch. They can be a bit lippy and full of themselves – not yet backed up by silverware – and they wouldn’t win any awards for popularity. To some extents they are a product of their hinterland.
"Northampton wouldn’t be the most picturesque town – the surrounding countryside is breathtaking with stunning scenery and well-heeled enclaves – and there isn’t a vast array of amenities. Players tend to congregate together socially. Rugby is the main sport and the Saints are idolised. There is plenty of interaction with supporters down to the fact they’d be discussing what’s in a player’s trolley at the supermarket."
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