Champions for two of the last three seasons and beaten champions Cup finalists in between, Northampton Saints are the team to beat.

They may not be the highest spenders but they have forged a squad spirit that allows them to ride the occasional setback without alarm.
They have lost their captain George Furbank to Harlequins, three players to Newcastle Red Bulls and James Ramm has returned to Australia, but a list of those who signed new contracts shows their stability with Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, George Hendy, Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny and Curtis Langdon among ...