Northampton Saints emerged victorious in a ‘proper final’ as they overcame Exeter Chiefs to secure the Gallagher PREM title for the second time in three years, according to winning Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
The men in Black, Green and Gold crossed the whitewash four times in Saturday’s clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, overcoming a resolute Chiefs side to secure a third PREM title in the club’s history.
“We were outstanding throughout the season,” said Dowson. “It’s nice now to be able to put a full stop on it with a big tin cup and say. ‘we were the best side in the league’.
“That was a proper final where it was nip and tuck; there were opportunities, we got held up, they got held up.”
“But I thought with 60 minutes to go, we felt in a good space, and the messages that were coming back to the coaching group from how the players were talking to each other and connecting were very positive.”
Saints’ 25/26 PREM season was one to remember, remaining undefeated at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in the Gallagher PREM, adding to an imperious run in front of their own supporters to just three losses in 40 front-line games, which stretches back over more than three seasons and 40 months.
“The club has been so well supported for such a long period of time,” Dowson continued. “This season, with sell-outs and stuff like that, the town’s going to go nuts!
“I thought Exeter were brilliant and we had to be at our very best in defence and attack.
“Credit to (Saints defence coach) Lee Radford because we said it was his last game in charge of the defence, and we wanted to represent that, and I thought we did.
“They talk all the time about defence winning championships, and Exeter statistically had the best defence through the year, but I thought our defence was excellent as well.
“It really stood up at the end there and allowed us to see out the game.
“We had the disappointment in the Champions Cup final in Cardiff last season, and the lessons we as a coaching group and senior playing group had were unbelievable.
“Fraser Dingwall and Callum Chick were outstanding coming off the bench, giving us clear direction and a nice calmness in the last 20 minutes.”
Saturday’s victory brought about a host of emotions for both the Saints faithful and the squad, with the final marking the last game for a number of men who have given their all to the Black, Green and Gold jersey.
None more so than club captain George Furbank, who marked his final moments in a Saints shirt lifting the PREM trophy in front of a packed-out Allianz Stadium to put a poignant full-stop on an incredible ten-year career in Northampton.
Dowson continued on his captain, “We had a look at a couple of weeks ago and put together a montage of George’s journey as a season ticket holder, through the academy and then captain of the club and playing international rugby. It was exceptional.
“A lot will be made of how he is on the field, his ability as a rugby player, but the thing I’ll remember most is his resilience and leadership, particularly off the field this year. He’s been a huge support to the coaching group and an exceptional person.”