Northampton Saints

Ben Foden: ready to show Sale what they are missing

Club Details

Franklins Gardens
Weedon Road
Northampton
NN5

Stadium Capacity: 12,500 (9,500 seated)
Website: www.northamptonsaints.co.uk
Founded: 1880

- 2008/9 Season Preview -

Skybet title odds - 40/1

Last time around: Saints couldn't have had a smoother return passage back into England's top flight after claiming a maximum 30 wins out of 30 in the second tier! And in a star-studded line-up with former league man Chris Ashton scoring over a try a game, the EDF trophy was not far behind as they bounced back at the first time of asking!

This time around? In an extremely busy off-season, Northampton are obviously wary of not suffering the same fate of two seasons ago! This is why deals have been done to bring Ben Foden, Roger Wilson and Neil Best to the club as part of twelve new signings. But the road to safety won't be easy as the step up to Premiership rugby week-in week-out will soon take its toll!

Coach: Former England Saxons boss Jim Mallinder took over from now-assistant Paul Grayson to lead Saints back into the top flight with ease. At the Saxons he recorded an impressive fifteen wins in sixteen matches and add to that Northampton's unbeaten year in National One...well he isn't doing too bad!

One to watch: Whether playing at full-back or his preferred scrum-half position, Ben Foden electrified old club Sale Sharks' faithful week-in week-out with his attacking threat. However, opportunities at the base could be limited with Lee Dickson and Alan Dickens also signing at nine for the GP new boys!

In: Neil Best (Ulster), Ben Broster (Scarlets), Christian Day (Stade Francais), Alan Dickens (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Newcastle), Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (Sale), Ben Foden (Sale), Stuart Friswell (Coventry), Scott Gray (Doncaster), Chris Mayor (Sale), Nils Mordt (London Irish), Roger Wilson (Ulster).

Out: Damien Browne (released), Chris Budgen (Exeter), Simon Emms (released), Darren Fox (released), Johnny Howard (Bayonne), Mark Robinson (Wasps), Karl Rudzki (released), Christian Short (Brive), Paul Tupai, Ian Vass (both Bedford).

PR Prediction: 10th