Last Saturday’s win over London Welsh confirmed that the Saints will finish 2014/15 at the top of the Aviva Premiership table for the first time in the club’s history. But this week sees them head to Welford Road to face a Leicester outfit that is still pushing for a place in the knockouts, swiftly followed seven days later by an Aviva Premiership semi-final.
And even though the Saints may have run six tries past London Welsh Clark says that the team has to produce more, insisting that no one is satisfied just by finishing in first place.
“We had a few errors and it wasn’t how we wanted to perform, but in the second half we pulled it together to get the four tries,” he told SaintsTV. “It was a decent result, but there are always things we can improve.
“Finishing top is something we’re really proud of; it’s never been done by a Northampton side and a great achievement for everyone at the club, from the fans to the people at the top. But we’ve still got a lot to do when the league is over.
“Derbies are unique, and you’ll see the best of both sides on the day. They’re dramatic and riddled with exciting moments. We respect that, and whoever’s playing everyone wants to watch and find out about.
“They’re going to bring intensity and physicality to their game. We’ve got to be prepared for that and rise to that challenge.”
Saturday’s game at Welford Road is being shown live on BT Sport 1, with text commentary also available at www.saintslive.co.uk
The Aviva Premiership semi-final on May 23rd will have its kick off time announced by Premiership Rugby once the opponents have been confirmed at the end of Round 22.