No wonder Northampton were so deflated at the end. That was their moment. That was their shot. That was when the stars aligned for the Saints and it may be some time before that happens again.
Having seemed down and out in Dublin on Saturday night, the East Midlands club were within three points and the force was with them, but they couldn’t quite take the chance to claim the prized scalp of Leinster. After the Champions Cup semi-final ended in agonising fashion for the English visitors, their director of rugby, Phil Dowson, provided a realistic take on where it leaves them.
Asked if Northampton had proved that they belong at such an exalted level and could become regular contenders, he said: ‘Of course we want to plan for that. We would love to be in that situation, but it is probably a bit soon to say because we are losing some players so (it’s about) recruitment. Next season is a new story and we’re going to make sure we finish this story first.’
This is the harsh reality for the Premiership teams attempting to break the recent dominance of Leinster and the powerhouse French clubs, led by Toulouse and La Rochelle. Their prime windows of opportunity don’t stay open for long. The Saints are losing a core of their best pack at the end of this season, with the impending departure of the iconic Courtney Lawes, England flanker and regular captain Lewis Ludlam, Paul Hill, Alex Moon and the Waller brothers – Alex and Ethan.
Returning to the exalted heights of a last-four close encounter at sold-out Croke Park is no formality for Northampton. Their experience in eventually pushing Leinster to the precipice should provide a confidence boost as they seek domestic glory in the coming weeks and will serve the younger Saints well in years to come. But this pedigree team will partially disband so a rebuild is in prospect. Dowson has to recruit carefully, within a strict budget, and newcomers will need to be moulded.
Northampton agonisingly missed out on the Champions Cup final after losing to Leinster
They seemed out before clawing their way to within three points – but couldn’t take the scalp
That’s the difference between the English hopefuls and their rivals across the Channel and the Irish Sea. The French clubs can afford to keep signing proven Test superstars and Leinster have been able to lure a leading All Black in Jordie Barrett, for a career-prime sabbatical next season, while backed by a formidable talent factory and a player-management alliance with their union.
Contrasting systems and financial disparities mean that the capital-city province and pre-eminent Gallic teams are evolving, long-term contenders, but that status is beyond English clubs now. Saracens had to breach the salary cap to remain in the hunt for so many years. Exeter soared and conquered, but soon faded. Northampton suddenly found that the stars aligned and they had an unexpected shot. It didn’t work out, but Lawes believes it will aid their Premiership prospects.
On Saturday, the Saints must shake off any emotional baggage to strive for a bonus-point win at home against Gloucester, to clinch a home semi-final. ‘We’ve proved that we have got what it takes against one of the best teams in the world,’ said Lawes, after his last ever Champions Cup game, before a summer move to Brive.
‘We’ve got a lot of young lads who’ve not played in anything like that pressure before. It is fantastic for us and gives us confidence.’ Soon though, the great back-rower will be gone, leaving a void which will be almost impossible to fill.
Director of rugby, Phil Dowson, delivered a realistic take on where it leaves Northampton
Saints must shake off any emotional baggage to strive for a bonus-point win vs Gloucester
SAINTS GIVE LEINSTER A SCARE
Leinster are going to be up against it in the Champions Cup Final, on the basis of that scare against the Saints. It was interesting that their head coach, Leo Cullen, said that he wants to keep his top stars playing for the next few weeks – instead of resting them from United Rugby Championship duties yet again – as they need to be up to speed and battle-hardened.
They dropped off badly. Lock Joe McCarthy and the mighty Ireland tighthead Tadhg Furlong led their early charge up front and Jamison Gibson-Park was the imperious ring-master throughout.
Jamie Osborne is a classy young asset in midfield, but Ross Byrne is no Johnny Sexton at 10 and Ciaran Frawley is no Hugo Keenan at full-back, at least for now. There was a strange lack of atmosphere at Croke Park.
Leinster have vast support but it was hardly a seething, hostile back-drop. In fact, it was quite a feat for 82,300 people to make so little noise. At times it felt like Twickenham on a bad day. Toulouse will bring firepower and fervour on a different level to north London later this month. They must be favourites now.
Toulouse will bring firepower and fervour on a different level to this seasons final
Leinster allowed Northampton back into the match at Croke Park – but their coach Leo Cullen wants his top players to keep playing in the URC so that they can be ready for Toulouse test
GLOUCESTER KO MASTERS
Gloucester should petition for league rugby to be cancelled and just play cups all the time, as they are mastering the knock-out arts.
George Skivington’s side are now within reach of a Double, after dispatching Benetton at Kingsholm to reach the Challenge Cup Final, having already seized the Premiership Cup by beating Leicester in the final.
These tournaments are offering precious salvation for the West Country club amid another miserable Premiership campaign – and what awaits is a fitting stage for Zach Mercer to show his abundant international pedigree.
‘We’ve found the sweet spot with Zach and he’s enjoying his rugby,’ said Skivington, Gloucester’s head coach, after his No 8’s latest masterclass. What a glorious under-statement. If Mercer doesn’t go on England’s summer tour, it will be a criminal waste of a rare talent.
Meanwhile, the hordes will make their noisy way from the West Country and aim to recreate the spirit of the Shed in the shiny, other-worldly edifice of Tottenham Stadium on May 24. Many of the them may choose to wear the European shirt.
On the whole, this column is in favour of clubs competing in familiar colours, but Gloucester’s kit for the Challenge Cup is a stylish alternative to the usual cherry-and-white look. It can stay!
Gloucester have mastered the knock-out arts and are now within reach of a memorable Double
HALFPENNY’S DESERVED BREAK
Leigh Halfpenny has finally become a capped Crusader, after making a belated Super Rugby debut for the Christchurch-based New Zealand franchise.
The 35-year-old former Wales full-back feared he would miss the whole season after tearing a pectoral muscle in a friendly against Munster in February, but he defied a bleak prognosis to recover faster than expected.
That was a triumph in itself and means that the Test centurion has fulfilled a personal ambition to represent the iconic Kiwi side, but now he will be hoping for better experiences in the weeks ahead.
Halfpenny – renowned as a prolific goal-kicker – missed a straight penalty before landing a conversion before half-time and was replaced soon after the break, as the Crusaders lost 33-28 at home to the Queensland Reds.
It was an eighth defeat in 10 games for the faltering title holders. Here’s hoping Halfpenny can play a part in a late surge up the table, to ensure a positive end to what is likely to be a career swansong.
He is one of the sport’s good guys, who has endured his fair share of setbacks over the years.
Leigh Halfpenny finally became a capped Crusader after enduring his fair share of setbacks
LAST WORD
In the aftermath of the Billy Vunipola saga in Majorca, squad socials may soon become a dying tradition, but not because of any criticism or controversy. Times are changing. Old habits are fading.
During his exclusive interview with Mail Sport, Saracens’ No 8 said: ‘I don’t think the younger generation coming through are as big drinkers. They are so (focused) on their recovery. They know a lot more about the effects of it (alcohol) and take that into consideration a lot more than when I first came into the league at 18. It was used to socialise and get to know each other.’
It is an interesting observation about a cultural shift but, when there is sufficient restraint, these bonding outings and trips still have their place. Rugby is not all about science, it is about heart and soul too. Building tight connections is vital. It doesn’t have to involve alcohol, but that has been the standard model.
In the aftermath of Billy Vunipola’s Majorca saga, squad socials may become a thing of the past
Vunipola was arrested after an incident in a nightclub and was given a warning by Saracens
One tale that sticks in the memory is the aftermath of an Argentina win against Wales in Cardiff. As the chastened home players trudged off dutifully for ice baths, the victorious Pumas got stuck into a crate of cider in their changing-room. Having a release valve amid so much commitment to a tough profession is still acceptable.
Unwind, lose inhibitions, sing together and reinforce collective spirit. Sharing a post-match beer with an opposite number isn’t the worst rugby ritual either. Maybe one day they will be just as at ease swapping stories over an energy drink or a protein shake…
