Saints have 'all the ingredients' to defend title says Tom Pearson

Tom Pearson says that Northampton Saints will have a target on their back as they bid to become the first team since Saracens in 2019 to retain their Gallagher PREM crown.

The North London side have been crowned back-to-back champions twice in the last decade, and England A back-rower Pearson, 26, knows nine clubs will be looking to knock Saints off their perch.

Pearson believes Saints, who have won two of the last three PREM finals at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, will be helped in their quest to become top dogs again after keeping most of their squad intact.

“I think we’ve got to be up there. The research shows it’s very hard to win back-to-back PREM titles. We’ve got a lot of guys staying on who are another year older and another year more experienced.

“I think there’s definitely something in keeping your squad, keeping those connections, you know, those partnerships around for long periods. So we’ve got all the ingredients to do it again.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Northampton

11:45

25 Sep 26

Newcastle

All Stats and Data

“We’ve got to be ambitious and really set the tone at the start of the season. I think you definitely always have a target on your back from being champions from the previous season.

“A lot of clubs will want to get our number and turn us over. That’s the target you want to have on your back. We’ve got to enjoy that and make sure we’re up to the challenge.

“I felt like I was quite consistent with my performances over last season. I’d love to back that up. It is something I felt I didn’t do last time we won the league. I’d like to back that up again.

“The week after the final was probably letting your hair down. The celebrations extended into most of that week. But after you’ve kind of got to switch in and make sure that you’re turning up to pre-season in some kind of nick,” he said.