Number Eight Teimana Harrison says that Northampton Saints will be challenging for a top two place this season, writes Max Miller.
The Saints were very impressive last year winning the Premiership Cup, reaching the semi final of the Premiership and were knocked out of the Champions Cup by Clermont. The Saints will be keen to build on last seasons success and push on this year.
Speaking at the pre-season media day Harrison said: “We want to finish in the top two this year, we finished in the top four last year, but we want to make the finals this year. Consistency is the massive thing. We had a couple of games last year where we slipped up in the last couple of minutes. We want to finish those games and get those points and build on consistency and move forward.”
With the Rugby World Cup taking place on September 20 the Saints will be missing a few key players before the start of the season but Saints Prop Francois van Wyk is optimistic that the current young players will make the grade this year.
He said: “Last year the young boys that had stepped up into some of the bigger guys shoes did really well. I think the depth in our squad is amazing so I don’t think it will make a massive difference. You will always miss your internationals but the young boys are always hungry and want to achieve and prove something.”
Northampton Saints have recruited eight players over the summer: Michael Van Vurren, Matt Proctor, Ryan Olowofela, Owen Franks, Karl Garside, Lewis Bean, Reuben Bird-Tulloch and Tui Uru have all been training with the squad over the past few weeks.
Words: Max Miller Pictures: Jack Pinnock
