Jim Mallinder

Franklin's Gardens is familiar territory to Saints' new director of rugby, thanks mainly to his 15 years as a player and coach at Sale Sharks. The former full back was appointed as Sale's head coach upon his retirement from playing in 2001 after nearly 400 games for his club and two England caps. His effect on the north-west club was immediate as he took the Sharks from 11th to 2nd in the Premiership - their first ever qualification for the Heineken Cup - and won the 2002 Parker Pen Shield (now the European Challenge Cup) which was Sale's first silverware.

In 2004 Mallinder, who had already coached England twice in the Churchill Cup, was released by Sale to take up a post in the RFU's National Academy. Working with present England head coach Brian Ashton he helped lay the foundations for England's U21 Grand Slam of 2006, a side which he also coached along with Dorian West. He was also named by UK Sport in their prestigious Elite Coach scheme.

Handed the reins of the England Saxons and now regarded as one of the best coaches in England, Mallinder had an impressive record of 15 wins from 16 matches and signed off by defeating the New Zealand Maori to win the Churchill Cup at Twickenham only a few weeks ago before taking up his position at the Saints in early June.