It was gritty rather than glorious but the Northampton Saints won’t care. For the second time in three seasons, let this most talented of teams be crowned champions of England, outlasting Exeter Chiefs and the rest in a marathon season that reached a weary yet wonderful end.
Much like against Bath two years ago, it could not be said that Saints saved their best for the final but Phil Dowson’s side still found a way. This was a title not so much merited on the performance on the day but for the body of work across a campaign in which Northampton have set the pace. Two titles feels right for a fine crop of local lads who have risen up together – and while they bade farewell to club captain George Furbank in some style as he hoisted the trophy aloft, the rest remain to search for more as the defining English side of their golden generation.
