Saints out to prove the case for the attack

It is an accepted truth that defence wins championships, but Northampton Saints are bidding to prove there is more than one way to silverware after booking their place in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby semi-finals. Friday evening's 66-5 victory over Newcastle Falcons, combined with London Irish's defeat to Saracens on Sunday, clinched a place in the top four for the second season running for Saints. Ad They have done it in a particularly unusual way.

While they conceded just five points on Friday, in their final regular season game, Saints are still on course for the league's worst defence, having conceded 611 points in 20 matches. RugbyWorld record crowd provides fitting end to historic Women's Six Nations01/05/2023 AT 15:17 In fact, their 30.55 points conceded a game is a total that has been topped just four times in the past decade. The most successful of those four teams was Bath Rugby last season, who finished 11th.

Every other team conceding as often finished bottom of the table. What Saints have in their favour, is their attack. They averaged 31 points scored per game — only Saracens have been better, while their 84 tries lead the league and will likely do so after the final round (Harlequins are on 76 and Saracens on 73).

There is no question that Saints can score points. Now they need to prove that they can score more than their opponents in a knockout encounter. A quick look back at which teams have become champions over the past decade does not necessarily plead in Saints' favour.