Northampton Saints Look to Last Season’s Success for European Spark
The Northampton Saints are gearing up for another exciting season in European rugby, aiming to build on their performance from last year. While it’s been nearly a decade since they last lifted a continental trophy (the Challenge Cup back in 2013-14), the team is optimistic and eager to carve their name in rugby history.
Commenting on their aspirations, Saints player George Langdon said, "We just want to make memories and see if we can go even further.”
Their next challenge comes in the form of the powerful French side, Castres Olympique. Langdon recognizes the tough task ahead, saying, "Castres coming here, big French pack. Physically, we weren’t there first half (against Gloucester), it’s a big test next week to right some wrongs."
Unfortunately, Northampton fans are yearning for their team to reclaim their lead in the Premiership. Currently sitting in eighth place after seven rounds, they need to close a 10-point gap to secure a Gruging playoff spot. This victory is crucial to defend the title they won — a feat they hadn’t achieved in 10 years.
Despite the uphill battle, there’s a spark of hope. Scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who fiercely battled a neck injury, took to the field for the first time this season, coming off the bench against Gloucester.
Langdon spoke about Mitchell’s return, saying: “It’s been a tough time for Mitch. He picked up this injury, there was a bit of uncertainty on how long he was going to be out for, we knew he’d be back but we didn’t know when. When he came on it gave us a big boost. He’s obviously excited to be back and brought a lot of tempo to our play in the second half.”
Mitchell’s return could be a game-changer for the Saints, injecting a much-needed boost of energy and experience to their campaign. As the European competition heats up, Northampton fans will be watching closely, hoping their team can recapture the magic that led them to victory last season.