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| IMAGE VIA NORTHAMPTON SAINTS |
Stadium – Franklin’s Gardens
Director of Rugby – Jim Mallinder
Captain – Dylan Hartley
Last Season – 7th
INS & OUTS
Northampton Saints have been busy with 12 players departing
Franklin’s Gardens including some big names like Louis Picamoles, Calum Clark
and Lee Dickson.
However, they have brought in players from the Southern
Hemisphere including Wallabies scrum-half Rob Horne and promising England
youngster Piers Francis, whose already been seen to be a part of Eddie Jones’
plans.
INS –Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby), Piers Francis (Blues),
Jamal Ford-Robinson (Bristol Rugby), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Cobus Reinach
(Sharks), Francois Van Wyk (Western Force).
OUTS – Calum Clark (Saracens), Gareth Denman (Gloucester
Rugby), Lee Dickson (Bedford Blues), JJ Hanrahan (Leinster), Sam Olver
(Worcester Warriors), Howard Packman (Bedford Blues), Louis Picamoles
(Montpellier), Ethan Waller (Worcester Warriors), James Wilson, Sam Dickinson,
Jake Ilnicki, George Pisi (all released).
Verdict
Ever since they won the Aviva Premiership title back in
2014, Saints have been slowly going backwards and last season was a struggle
with Picamoles being their highlight player.
However, with players like the French international, Clark,
Dickson and releasing Pisi (which seems odd), I can only see Saints struggling.
Hopefully, Hartley, Harry Mallinder and new signings Horne and Francis will
bring better days than some are expecting.
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| IMAGE VIA KIRSTY EDMONDS |
They’ll be battling for a Champions Cup spot with Newcastle and Sale.
Prediction – 8th
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