Paul Grayson made an earlier than expected step into the coaching team following the departure of Alan Solomons in late 2004. Together, fellow former player Budge Pountney and Grayson managed to steer Saints away from relegation on the last day of the season.
It was not the first time Grase has coached though. He fulfilled the role of kicking coach for the England side that toured USA and Canada in 2001. He was also the backs coach for England U21s squad in the 2002/03 season.
Appointed head coach for 2005/06 with his Saints' kicking and points scoring records more than safe for many years to come, a shaky start was soon forgotten as a superb run of results after Christmas saw Saints finish sixth in the Guinness Premiership and once more qualify for the Heineken Cup.
Hopes were high for 2006/07. Unfortunately, and despite superb victories at Welford Road and against Biarritz in San Sebastian in the Heineken Cup quarter final, Saints were relegated from the Premiership and Grase was relieved of his role as head coach.
He remains part of the coaching team at Franklin's Gardens under director of rugby Jim Mallinder as backs and skills coach.
