Northampton Saints forward Tom Pearson is ready to get the new Gallagher PREM season underway at a packed-out cinch stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday against Exeter Chiefs.
Pearson, who claimed a brace in the second game of pre-season against Glasgow Warriors, also started for Saints under the Friday night lights at the StoneX Stadium last weekend as Northampton claimed a 34-49 victory in their first competitive game of the 2025/26 season in the PREM Rugby Cup.
“I was really happy with the performance on Friday night,” said the 25-year-old. “It was a hell of a game, and I think we dominated from the start.”
“We’ve had a real ethos this pre-season of trying to get better every session and every day.
“We’ve been building on that week-to-week, and I think we showed that in the performance on Friday.”
Tom Pearson
Pearson, who is entering his third season as a Saint, featured in a starting back row against Saracens alongside Callum Chick, who captained on his debut for Northampton and scored a hat-trick in the first half.
“He’s just so durable and brilliant and has been in the PREM for years,” Pearson said of his fellow back rower.
“He’s got international recognition as well and has added a big voice to that pack, which has been great. We’ve seen a glimpse of those new guys already, we’ve made some really good new signings, and the best is yet to come.
“JJ Van Der Mescht is probably one of the biggest guys in the league, and Danilo Fischetti is a quality operator and a seasoned international.
“Personally, I feel very settled at Northampton, I can’t believe I’m coming into my third season now, it’s gone so quickly, but I think that just shows how much I’m enjoying it.
“There’s a really good core group of lads that are here and committed, and I think we’re heading in the right direction as a club.”
Tom Pearson
Northampton will host Exeter Chiefs on Sunday (28 September, kick-off: 1pm BST) at a packed-out cinch Stadium for the opening game of the PREM season. Saints can boast impressive home form over the last two seasons, winning 32 out of 40 games in front of their own supporters across all competitions and will look to continue that form as the 2025/26 campagin commences.
“It's nice to have our first PREM game of the season at home,” Pearson added.
“It’s not something we’ve had since 2021, so we’re absolutely buzzing for it, and I can’t wait to get out there. We’ve got a strong squad, and we want to pick up from the momentum on Friday and kick on from there.
“We know it’s going to be a packed-out cinch Stadium, which is great for us and awesome for the new guys to see what it’s all about and is massively motivating for us as a squad to start well.”
Saints’ first home match of the season is now closing in on a sell-out, with very limited groups of tickets remaining. Don’t miss out on the league Curtain Raiser – with tickets available from £25* adult / £9* child HERE now.
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