Last Season: 5th
Prediction: 2nd
Head coach: Wayne Smith
Captain: Budge Pountney
Title odds: 10-1

Last season

The Saints under-achieved badly until former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith took over from John Steele in late December and instigated a mid-season revival.

Fifth place in the league was a respectable finish after flirting with the basement battle early on, but still a poor reflection on the international talent at the club.

Heineken Cup winners in 2000, Northampton also failed to make the European knock-out stages for the second successive season.

Atonement in the domestic cup competitions went awry as they were trounced by London Irish in the Powergen Cup final and pipped by Bristol in the semi-finals of the Zurich Championship.

Ins and Outs

Smith has recruited some experienced and emerging talent to strengthen a trimmed-down squad this year, with All Blacks wing Bruce Reihana a major coup.

Reihana can play anywhere along the three-quarter line, and also provides goalkicking cover, while Wallaby back-row Mark Connors should also prove a valuable acquisition.

The loss of French international Olivier Brouzet is a blow, but Welshman Steve Williams should be a reliable compensation in the locking department.

The Scottish contingent has diminished with the departure of Andy Rennick and Craig Moir to Borders, but is offset by the return of Simon Hepher and the arrival of Oriol Ripol.

Rising stars

Robbie Morris

A mobile prop with a big future, Morris came to the fore when he was selected ahead of British Lion Tom Smith midway through last season.

A product of the Saints' academy, the 20-year-old then found himself called up for England's summer tour to Argentina after just seven senior matches for his club.

Scored a try in the midweek side's defeat to Argentina A, and his ability to play on either side of the scrum should see further recognition in the coming campaign.

James Brooks

Brooks' versatility makes him an ideal man to have on the bench, but the 22-year-old could blossom this year if he can nail down a regular spot.

Nominally a fly-half, where he has proved himself capable of igniting the Saints backs, the 22-year-old has also filled in at scrum-half and found regular employment on the wing.

Prediction

The transformation in fortunes since Smith's arrival bodes well for a successful campaign, and a genuine title challenge looks on the cards.

The New Zealander has managed to instill fresh enthusiasm and dedication into some of Saints' more established stars, and is working with largely international players.

A question mark remains over their temperament on the big occasion after an abysmal showing in the Powergen Cup final against London Irish.