After 165 appearances for Northampton Saints, and 40 more for England and the British & Irish Lions, you’d think Alex Mitchell had seen it all. Think again.
Saturday afternoon’s 71-48 victory over Bath at a sold‑out DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens saw the men in Black, Green and Gold score 11 tries to the visitors’ seven – as the sides went within eight points of equalling the record for a PREM Rugby game.
“I don’t think I have ever been involved in a game like that with 100‑plus points, especially going against a team like Bath,” said the scrum-half.
“It was a very strange game, but I enjoyed it. It was a good game for the fans to watch and a fantastic day here at DPD Stadium. I’m just happy to get the five points and move onto Europe.”
Saints went in at the break three points down as Bath threatened to become the first team to win a PREM or Investec Champions Cup game at DPD Stadium in 19 attempts – a run that now stretches back a year and a half.
Mitchell was at the thick of it as Saints filled their boots in the second half, scoring a try a little over every five minutes.
“It was a bit like a basketball game,” he added. “It was enjoyable to be involved in. It seemed like every two minutes there was a try. Obviously, there are a few things to work on in defence, but in the last 20 minutes we showed we could step up and defend well.
“We can always score points and put pressure on teams. So there were a lot of positives, but a few negatives as well.”
It was Mitchell’s first start of the season as Archie McParland rotated to the bench, and the senior of the two took his chance with a bright display and a wonderful individual try – grubbering from the base of a scrum before racing on to finish.
“It is a long old season,” he added. “Game time is important so everyone can step up whenever they need to. But I am feeling a lot better within myself physically, and my fitness is getting back as well, so I am in a really good place.
“Last year I did six months with half a hamstring. It is good to get a proper pre-season in for me, and to get a bit of rest. It did me the world of good, and now me and Archie sharing the game time is really helping me as well. It is fantastic and really good for the season ahead.”