Northampton Saints have received a major boost ahead of their much-anticipated Premiership derby clash against Leicester, with the return of several key British & Irish Lions. Head coach Phil Dowson welcomes back Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman, who are all eager to make amends for last season’s humiliating 33-0 defeat to their East Midlands rivals.
Smith, Mitchell, and Freeman are all named in the starting XV, with Pollock set to make his impact from the bench. Their return comes at a perfect time for the Saints, who, despite a long injury list, have managed to collect eight points from their opening two games. They surrendered a strong lead to draw 33-33 with Exeter and narrowly avoided another slip against Gloucester, but the return of their international stars should strengthen both their confidence and performance levels.
Last season’s heavy defeat to Leicester still lingers in the squad’s memory. Dowson admitted it was a bitter experience that disrupted their momentum at a crucial stage. The players have since used that loss as motivation, with the coach reminding his team how fortunate they are to have a fierce local rivalry that tests their resolve and pride. Smith echoed his manager’s sentiments, recalling how painful that match was and expressing his determination to ensure history does not repeat itself.
Smith’s return also comes after signing a new contract, ending speculation over a possible move elsewhere. Following an average Lions tour, he is now focused on regaining England’s No 10 jersey from George Ford, using this derby as a platform to prove his quality once more.
For Dowson, however, the return of his internationals presents both an opportunity and a dilemma. While their presence strengthens the squad, it also means they will soon be called up again for England’s autumn internationals against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina. Balancing club ambitions with players’ Test commitments remains a delicate task, especially as success drives up both expectations and financial demands.
Dowson acknowledges that managing such talent requires striking a fine balance between career ambitions, team competitiveness, and budget constraints. For now, though, Northampton’s focus is clear — revenge, redemption, and reclaiming local bragging rights against Leicester.
