NORTHAMPTON
THE Saints struggled to make headway last season without Samu Manoa’s muscle, but that sizeable void has now been filled by the arrival of blockbusting French No.8 Louis Picamoles.
Another astute signing is scrum-half Nic Groom from the Stormers, because the 26-year-old South African covers the ground quickly, moves the ball crisply, and has a good all-court game.
Add to that an already overflowing pool of international talent including giant Wales and Lions wing, George North, and an England contingent of hooker and captain Dylan Hartley, second row Courtney Lawes, rival England tightheads Paul Hill and Kieran Brookes, flanker Teimana Harrison, and the building blocks are in place for a big season.
The reality is that with the out-of-favour England trio Luther Burrell, Tom Wood and Lee Dickson also on the roster, Northampton have too many good players not to be in last four contention both in the Premiership and in the European Cup.
Saints fans will be hoping that North and ex-England full-back Ben Foden managed to develop a more intuitive understanding, and that the arrival of the Argentine Olympic sevens centre/wing, Juan Pablo Estelles, brings an incisive edge.
Northampton face a demanding start against Bath,Wasps and Exeter but with all three games all being played at Franklin’s Gardens they will be looking for three big scalps.