Northampton Saints Show Mixed Form in Early 2026 Campaigns

12 January 2026 Rugby

Saints Return to Summit of Gallagher Premiership

Northampton Saints have begun 2026 in dramatic fashion, demonstrating both their domestic dominance and European challenges. The East Midlands club has become a focal point of English rugby discussion as they navigate competitions on multiple fronts, with performances that have thrilled home supporters while exposing areas requiring improvement on the continental stage.

Emphatic Domestic Victory Propels Saints to Top

Alex Coles helped himself to a hat-trick as Northampton Saints returned to the top of the Gallagher PREM with an emphatic 66-21 victory over Harlequins at a sold-out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. The dominant performance on 3 January showcased the attacking prowess that has defined Saints’ season, with nine tries scored in front of their passionate home crowd. At the PREM season’s half-way point, Saints are just six points shy of their points total accumulated throughout the 2024/25 campaign, highlighting their remarkable consistency and attacking threat.

European Setback Against Bordeaux-Begles

However, Saints faced a stern reality check in the Investec Champions Cup when they travelled to France. Irresistible champions Bordeaux crossed over eight times in a scintillating display, defeating Northampton 50-28 in a repeat of last season’s final. Ill-discipline proved costly for Saints as a raft of first-half sin-bins meant it was 24-7 to Bordeaux at the interval, demonstrating the fine margins at European rugby’s highest level.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the Bordeaux defeat, Saints had already secured a place in the round of 16 after two wins from two in the competition, ensuring their European campaign continues. With upcoming fixtures against Scarlets in the Champions Cup and Sale Sharks in the Premiership, Northampton Saints must balance domestic supremacy ambitions with European progression. Their ability to learn from the Bordeaux experience while maintaining their devastating home form will prove crucial as the season reaches its critical phase.