Saints look to put European disappointment behind them on return to domestic duty

By Paul Eddison

Northampton Saints will look to put European disappointment behind them as they try to book their place in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby play-offs in the tightest season to date.

A slow start at Croke Park against European heavyweights Leinster saw Saints fall agonisingly short in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals, losing 20-17 in Dublin.

That means that Northampton will turn their attentions back to domestic matters, with the chance to clinch a home play-off match should they pick up five points at home to Gloucester this weekend - and move to within 80 minutes of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2024.

And for Phil Dowson, it is crucial that they move on from last week’s frustration to finish the season strongly, particularly with the likes of Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam departing at the end of the campaign.

He said: “The first thing we’ve got to do is make sure we put this to bed, to have a drink together, and celebrate what that campaign was. But then we’ve got to prepare for Gloucester appropriately this week.

“We’re losing some players this summer, and next year is a new story, but we’ve got to make sure we finish this story first with the Premiership run-in now ahead of us.”

As it stands, Saints top the table on 55 points and can wrap up a home semi-final with victory at home to Gloucester on Saturday.

Last year, they qualified in fourth place, before travelling to Saracens in the semi-final, but they have stepped up a gear this season.

Below Saints, anyone from Sarries in second to Exeter Chiefs in seventh could conceivably host a play-off game.

The reigning champions head to Bristol Bears knowing victory would put them in a strong position to host a semi-final but Bears have won six league games in a row to move up to fourth.

Bristol’s final day trip to Harlequins could end up being a de facto quarter-final. As it stands, the teams are both on 49 points, with Bristol in fourth spot and Quins fifth.

Just above that pair are Bath. Sat on 50 points, they could have taken a giant step towards qualification by beating Saracens but after going down 15-12, they will now need to bounce back at Kingston Park, where they take on winless Newcastle Falcons before hosting Saints on the final day.

Exeter Chiefs have no margin for error. Sitting four points behind Bristol Bears in fourth, they host Harlequins before travelling to Leicester Tigers.

Whatever happens, the calculators will be out over the next fortnight to see who makes it. Saints can take themselves out of the equations by beating Gloucester and scoring four tries.

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final tickets are on-sale now, family packages from £98.