Last weekend the Saints Academy had an outstanding start to the season, beating Leinster Under-19s and dominating an Under-16s tournament against other Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs.

The midweek rain had disappeared completely from Franklin's Gardens by kick off, and the Saints took complete advantage of the superb conditions to round off their 2010/11 pre-season with a 38-5 win over Aironi Viadana.

Northampton Saints have named the team that will play Aironi Viadana in the final pre-season match of the summer.

Academy manager Alan Dickens says that the club's youngsters stood up excellently to the Nottingham test last night.