Alex Mitchell could make surprise Northampton comeback in Prem final

Alex Mitchell could make a surprise comeback in Northampton’s Gallagher Prem final against Exeter on Saturday as he nears recovery from a pulled hamstring.

Mitchell was expected to miss the rest of the club season after sustaining the injury while training for England last month, with the July 4 summer tour opener against South Africa earmarked for his return.

Saints were frustrated at losing their British and Irish Lions scrum-half during an international camp staged at the business end of the Prem campaign, six weeks out from the Nations Championship opener in Johannesburg.

Mitchell’s absence has been partially offset by the outstanding form of 21-year-old rookie Archie McParland, but the half-back duo could both be involved at Allianz Stadium.

Director of rugby Phil Dowson will give England’s first choice in the position until Friday morning to prove his fitness with the team scheduled to be announced at midday.

“There is a chance – I would hate to say whether it is good or bad,” said Dowson.

“We have got to make sure we get the balance right so that if Alex does get involved he can do enough minutes to cover us off.

“And there is Tom James and Weimann as well, who have been excellent.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

1

Wins

1

Average Points scored

28

29

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Exeter stand between Northampton and a second Prem title in three years that would cement Saints’ position as English rugby’s dominant force of the mid-2020s.

The Chiefs’ resilience was on display as they withstood 40 phases in a late Bath assault in their play-off at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, coming from behind to prevail 27-26.

Dowson said: “I knew about the character of Exeter’s group from the first game at Franklin’s Gardens when we were 33-7 up and they came back and drew the game.

“What (director of rugby) Rob Baxter does there in terms of putting a group together and how deeply they believe and how hard they work for each other is no secret to us.

“Their recruitment has been excellent – Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau – and they’ve had a big impact.

“Rob’s experience as well. I try and ask him questions whenever I can. He probably gets bored of that. I’ve a huge amount of respect for the environment he has put together.”

It will be George Furbank’s final appearance for Northampton before joining Harlequins next season and the club captain is determined for Saints to sign off 2025-26 with the same endeavour they started it.

Furbank said: “We want to go out and just attack this game. Often in finals you can play within yourselves and play a bit safe. I don’t think we’re a good team when we do that.

“So for us it’s about going and expressing ourselves, attacking the game and performing the way that we want to perform.”