It would mean the Saints winning at Saracens in the semi-final having booked their place in the top four in the penultimate round with a 66-5 victory in Newcastle, two days before the only team that could have pipped them, London Irish, slumped at Sarries.
Northampton sit out the final round of the regular season next weekend knowing that they cannot be overhauled in fourth despite having the worst defensive record in the Premiership this season having conceded 86 tries – but they have also scored the most, 84, eight more than Harlequins.
Northampton’s recent record against Saracens is poor with two victories in the last 12 Premiership matches, including this month’s 38-29 success against a largely second strong side which had Duncan Taylor sent off after eight minutes, but they won there in the 2013 semi-final and defeated Sarries in the final the following year.
“This is the most competitive league in the world and everyone can beat everyone,” said second row Moon who has been an ever-present in Northampton’s league match-day squad this season, starting 17 of their 21 matches, including the scratched victory over Wasps.
“The table has been very close. When we played Gloucester a couple of months ago they were above us in the table but now they are one off the bottom. One of our issues this season has been our away form: before Newcastle, we had only won at Leicester and it has not been like us historically.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Forrest sees green shoots growing for the Raiders
WITH an average age of 23, Worthing Raiders almost certainly have the youngest squad in National 2 East.
Sailing around the Med for a year is next for me
IN 18 months’ time, when my final contract with Castres expires, I will literally be sailing off into the ocean with my partner, leaving my rugby career behind.
Harrogate's ideal for Nuu as he looks to the future
RUGBY league convert Junior Nuu is on a shortterm contract with Harrogate and is eager to help the newly promoted side in their survival bid.
RFU Council must make a stand for whole game
NOW the Autumn Nation Series is over – with all four games at the Twickenham Allianz Stadium virtual sellouts with crowds close to the maximum 82,000 – the RFU should be in a good financial position.
Pope expecting to play a major role in a highly eventful month
AUSTIN Pope and his partner, Izzie, are expecting a baby any minute, but the inside centre has shown his commitment to Bishop’s Stortford in recent weeks by continuing to start matches.
Nugent is the difference
RAMS slipped to a second straight narrow defeat as they went down by two points at home to Richmond under the Friday night lights.
Gregson gets going to put Saracens in charge
SARACENS secured a second straight bonus-point victory to move second in the PWR table.
Cornish at the double to clinch it for Ealing
MATT Cornish’s double ensured Ealing Trailfinders kept up the pressure at the top of the Championship table with a hard-fought victory away at Bedford.
Get rid of the regions and call for Cotter, says Ring
MARK Ring never thought Welsh rugby would come to this; their four regional teams failing en masse to meet the modest qualifying criteria for the non-champion zone of the Champions Cup.
We're aiming to be more clinical - Evans
HAVING fallen short in recent years, the PWR’s all-time most successful side Saracens are seeking redemption this season.
