Northampton
Whatever happens in the remaining weeks of the season it has been a year to remember for Northampton, who pushed Leinster close last weekend and are expected to seal their place in the playoffs on Saturday against Gloucester. A raft of youngsters who emerged under Chris Boyd – who remains an influential presence on the other end of the phone to director of rugby Phil Dowson and head coach Sam Vesty – have peaked while Saints are reaping the rewards of Courtney Lawes’s international retirement and have picked up clever signings in Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson. All the while Fin Smith continues to look an elite Test fly-half despite only turning 22 on Saturday. It has made Northampton a thrilling side to watch this season with a defensive resilience – after bulking up in preseason – allied to their unmatched attacking game. Defeat by Bath on the final day might just see them knocked off top spot but Northampton won’t care as long as they secure a home semi-final.
