Dylan Hartley stressed his pride in the Saints team after they recovered from a ‘long week’ to claim a fine 18-9 win against Leinster on Saturday night.

Hartley and Co had lost 40-7 to the Irish side at Franklin’s Gardens eight days earlier, but recovered in style to secure a memorable success at the Aviva Stadium.

It was one of the club’s greatest nights in European competition, with players, coaches and fans savouring it.

And Hartley was full of praise for his team-mates after they stood up to everything thrown at them in the Heineken Cup Pool 1 battle.

“It was a long week last week,” said the skipper.

“It’s very rare you get to play the same team back to back, but I’m just so proud of the team.

“We knew we weren’t as poor as we were last week, not a team to concede 40 points so to come here and rectify thing was very satisfying.

“We got beat up at home last week, gainline on both sides of the coin, taking the ball into contact we got held up.

“The infamous choke tackle halted our game.

“This time, we did things very well.”

Mark Hopley says the Wanderers class of 2013 have already learned a lot.

And he is hoping they can dish out another tutorial in the art of rugby in the Aviva ‘A’ League final on Monday night.

Saints’ shadow squad face Bath’s second string at Franklin’s Gardens, hoping to secure the club’s first silverware of the season.

The Wanderers set up the home showpiece thanks to scoring more tries than any other team on their way to claiming four wins from five games in the pool stages.

They then saw off a strong Harlequins team in the semi-final at the Gardens and will now take on a Bath team which is also full of talented players.

“They lads are learning a lot from playing in pressure situations and Monday will be another stern test against a good Bath side,” said Academy coach Hopley.

“They’ve won every single game on the way to this final and I think they’re a bit annoyed they’ve not got a home final and we have.

“All we want as a squad is a good turnout from the fans and hopefully we’ll put a big performance in.”

And Hopley knows the Wanderers will have to be a their best to claim glory.

He said: “Bath have shown they’re very tough up front, they’ve very abrasive and they’ve got lots of threats out wide. People like Kyle Eastmond have been there and he got capped by England in the summer, so for our youngsters it’s going to be a massive test.

“But so was Harlequins in the semi-final and we came through that. We’re looking to pass this test as well.”

There have been some heroic showings in the recent history of Northampton Saints, but perhaps none more so than the one they produced in Dublin on Saturday night.

This, after all, was a Saints team that had been embarrassed by Leinster a week earlier. The 40-7 defeat at Franklin’s Gardens was an evisceration. An utter annihilation.

But only when you have reached your nadir can you truly appreciate the highest of highs - and that was the case for Northampton at the Aviva Stadium.

The outpouring of emotion as Jamie Elliott burst towards the Leinster line after the clock had gone dead was immense.

Saints fans everywhere, at the ground and at home, roared the diminutive winger on and even press box professionalism went out of the window.

Because this was a moment for everyone of a Northampton persuasion to savour.

A memory to endure the harshest of Temple Bar-inspired hangovers.

Saints fans will watch that final sequence of events over and over again, pinching themselves to make sure it wasn’t all some sort of wild hallucination.

Leinster had looked sure to score as the 80-minute mark approached. Phase after phase went by as they set up camp on the Saints line.

It seemed like an eternity.

It felt like another Munster moment was beckoning, as victory looked like it would be ripped from the Northampton grasp in the cruelest of fashions.

But Saints, as they had for the entirety of the game, stood strong, their iron will on show as they refused to be punctured.

And when Jamie Heaslip spilled the ball, Elliott, sharp as a tack, picked it up and ran for his life, denying the Irish team even the consolation of a bonus point.

Passion and pride packaged in green, black and gold. The Saints boys weren’t going to be beaten. Not again.

They were labelled embarrassing by some sections of the home support a week earlier. This time they were the antithesis.

Northampton were strong, determined and unbreakable.

To only concede nine points, via three Ian Madigan penalties, in the Aviva Stadium hothouse is an incredible effort.

It was reminiscent of Ravenhill last year. It had a hint of Allianz Park in May. But, really, this was incomparable to anything that had gone before.

Saints didn’t win the Heineken Cup with this triumph. Heck, they face a struggle just to get out of the pool this season as they remain four points adrift of Leinster.

But whatever happens from here on in, they have given their town something to be proud of.

It seems criminal that there may not be English representation in the Heineken Cup next season.

It will be a huge loss to the competition because battles like this Anglo-Irish ding-dong are what it’s all about.

Excitement, exhilaration and true underdog spirit shining through.

It was written in this publication before the game that Saints are at their best with their backs to the wall.

They are dangerous when backed into a corner. And so it proved.

They have lost just four times away from home in 2013. A quite amazing record.

The ‘Why not us?’ phrase may have had its day, but the meaning behind it lives on.

And so will memories of this magical December night in Dublin.

How they rated...

KEN PISI

Looked a little lost at times in the game at the Gardens eight days earlier, but this was some way to bounce back. An outstanding recovery from the Samoan... 9

JAMIE ELLIOTT

His last-minute try will live long in the memory, but his performance was about so much more than that. Brilliant in attack and defence... 9

GEORGE NORTH - CHRON STAR MAN

Thrived on playing at centre, getting more of the ball and forming a fearsome partnership with Luther Burrell, who teed him up for Saints’ first try... 9

LUTHER BURRELL

Another monumental display from the big man. He just gets better and better, excelling in all aspects of the game... 8

TOM COLLINS

What a performance from the 19-year-old, who was thrust into starting following Dom Waldouck’s injury. Looked completely at home on the big stage... 8

STEPHEN MYLER

Great game management from the fly-half. Didn’t have his best night from the tee, but more than made up for it with his all-round play... 8

LEE DICKSON

Is an important leader in the team and kept pushing Saints on. Wasn’t his best game, though, and was replaced early in the second half... 7

ALEX WALLER

Played another key role in a dominant Saints scrum and was so impressive in the way he handled another huge occasion... 8

DYLAN HARTLEY

The skipper led by example, putting in a ferocious performance that defied belief in its sheer physicality... 9

SALESI MA’AFU

The big Australian missed out on the game at the Gardens a week earlier, but he was back here and he had a big impact... 8

COURTNEY LAWES

Massive display from the beanpole lock, who battered Leinster in attack and stood up to everything that was thrown at him in defence... 9

CHRISTIAN DAY

Such an important component of the Saints side and his influence shone through as he marshaled the lineout superbly and covered a huge amount of ground... 8

CALUM CLARK

Was one of the main men in halting Leinster attacks, putting in an enormous display at the breakdown... 8

TOM WOOD

What a player this man is. An incredible effort at the breakdown and his physicality was incredible as he ensured Leinster had the door shut in their faces... 9

SAMU MANOA

An unstoppable force who never fails to amaze with his level of performance. Saints could not be happier to have this man on their side... 9

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

TOM MERCEY (for Ma’afu 53)

Kept Saints going forward in the scrum with a powerful performance that was crucial as his team stayed strong... 7

KAHN FOTUALI’I (for Dickson 53)

Added real class to proceedings. His passing was sharp and his left-foot drop goal was a clever piece of thinking that provided a crucial three points... 8

Jim Mallinder feels Saints’ superb win in Dublin is the perfect preparation for some tough games ahead in the Aviva Premiership.

Mallinder’s men claimed an 18-9 success at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening, breathing new life into their Heineken Cup campaign.

They sit four points adrift of Pool 1 leaders Leinster with two games left to play, at Ospreys and at home to Castres.

But the immediate focus now switches back to the Premiership, where Saints face a trip to Wasps on Saturday before home clashes with Bath and Harlequins.

“The win on Saturday gives a little bit of life to the (Heineken Cup) group,” said Mallinder. “At least it’s not dead and buried.

“We’ve still got two tough games, but Leinster have got that as well so it gives us hope.

“It’s great still to be in the competition, something to play for and it sets us up well for the next few weeks in the Premiership.”

Mallinder was a happy man after seeing Saints recover from a 40-7 thrashing at the hands of Leinster the week before the Dublin delight.

And he says the main positive from the performance in Ireland was the fact Northampton showed they had learned from the Franklin’s Gardens flaying.

“The week before we were well and truly beaten,” he said.

“We started badly and Leinster played really well, taking a lot of their opportunities and thoroughly deserving to beat us.

“We learned some lessons in the week from that defeat and I guess that’s the pleasing thing.”

Former Wellingborough boss Phil Mason had an unhappy return to the Dog & Duck as his Long Buckby side were thrashed 6-0 on Saturday.

Jack Wisniewski set up both Nathan Liburd’s seventh-minute opener and a 20th-minute second from Jason Turner.

On the half hour Turner converted a penalty to take his season’s goal tally to 20.

There was no let up in the second half. Dan Burke scored a fourth home goal after 55 minutes.

Wisniewski netted a well deserved goal after 67 minutes with Rob Parker completing the rout 12 minutes from time.

In division one, in-form ON Chenecks sent bottom club Woodford United crashing to another heavy defeat, winning 6-0 at Billing Road.

Adam Hancock scored the first two for Chens, following his first-minute opener with a second goal 10 minutes in.

Ben Diamond extended the lead after 14 minutes.

Luke Tolworthy took the home tally to four seven minutes before the break.

Ben Lewington netted a 75th-minute penalty before Diamond ciompleted the scoring with eight minutes remaining.

Gavin Henson is part of a strong Bath United side that will bid to stop the Wanderers claiming ‘A’ League glory at Franklin’s Gardens on Monday night (7.30pm kick-off).

The Wales international is at inside centre in a Bath back line that also includes key men such as Nick Abendanon, Tom Biggs and Tom Heathcote.

The Wanderers have also dipped into their club’s first team squad, with the likes of Glenn Dickson, Ethan Waller and Mike Haywood starting.

Those three men, along with centre Tom Stephenson, were part of the Northampton squad which claimed a stunning 18-9 Heineken Cup win against Leinster on Saturday night.

And they will now bid to help their club put in another proud performance as the Wanderers aim to become ‘A’ League champions on home turf.

Wanderers: Diggin; Packman, Stephenson, G Dickson, Artemyev; Olver, A Day; E Waller, Haywood, Denman, Verbakel, Woolford, Harrison, Williams, van Velze.

Replacements: McMillan, Warren, Parkins, Onojaife, Harry, Glynn, Hooley, Skelcey.

Bath United: Adendanon; Lane, Clark, Henson, Biggs; Heathcote, Young; Beech, Dunn, P-Newport, Ewels, Caldwell, Ellis, Gilbert, Skuse.

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Jamieson, Clarke, Northcote-Green, Cook, Devoto, Beer.

Saints have announced the signing of America No.8 Cam Dolan as injury dispensation for James Craig.

With lock Craig set to be out for a number of months after dislocating his shoulder in last month’s LV= Cup win over Gloucester, Dolan will fill the gap.

The 23-year-old, who stands at 6ft 6in tall, has been impressing for his country in recent times, in the same squad as Saints star Samu Manoa.

Dolan recently joined Manoa on the scoresheet in America’s win over Russia at Franklin’s Gardens and Northampton boss Jim Mallinder is looking forward to welcoming the new man.

“We’ve kept a close eye on Cam for a while and have been impressed by what we’ve seen,” said Mallinder.

“He’s a player who has a lot of natural talent and the physical attributes it takes to succeed, something he showed during the Autumn internationals and against the Maori.

“Although the American league is developing all the time it is a big step up to the professional environment of the Premiership and we’re not expecting Cam to be the finished article immediately.

“It has been sad to see James Craig ruled out for a while with his shoulder injury, but it has also given us the opportunity to bring Cam in and see how he develops over the next few months.”

Vasily Artemyev’s stay at Saints is to be cut short with the wing returning to Russia.

Artemyev will play his final game in Northampton colours on Monday night, when he takes to the field for the Wanderers in their ‘A’ League final battle with Bath at Franklin’s Gardens.

The 26-year-old has expressed a desire to return home and has been released with immediate effect.

He made 33 appearances for Saints, scoring 45 points in the process, with his highlight a hat-trick on debut in an LV= Cup game against Saracens.

“We’re sad to see Vasily leave, but totally understand his reasons why,” said Mallinder. “He has worked extremely hard in his time with us and has learned a great deal.

“He is an intelligent young man who has never given less than 100 per cent, and we wish him all the best for the future.
“Of course this leaves a bit of a hole in the squad, and we will be bringing in someone to fill that gap in the not-too-distant future.”
Artemyev says he has relished turning out for the Saints and paid tribute to the coaches and players for helping him improve since joining the club from VVA Podmoskovye in 2011.
“It has been a great honour for me to represent this magnificent club and play alongside the best players and under the coaching of Jim Mallinder,” he said.

“I am leaving this club a far better and more experienced player than I came.
“My biggest regret about leaving is not to be not being able to run out again in front of the most loving and supporting crowd at the Gardens that I have ever had a chance to play in front of.
“Unfortunately the time has come for me to play my rugby elsewhere, but I wish the club all the best in future and I hope we win some long deserved silverware this season.”

A Daventry man has lost his fight for life more than four weeks after being seriously injured in a road accident.

Peter Crocker, 63 and from The Cherwell, died on Thursday last week. He was left in a critical condition after being involved in a collision with a car on Monday, November 4 on the Waterloo/Tavern Lane roundabout in Daventry town centre.

Speaking to the Daventry Express, Mr Crocker’s brother Steve, 61, said: “He was the most generous, the kindest, the most loving man you could have met. He was funny and lively and great to know.

“He was a fantastic brother to myself and Rob and his sister Penny when she was alive, and a good friend too. Pete was always there whenever you needed him and we were always there for him.

“We used to go fishing together, and when the three of us brothers were younger, we went ferreting and shooting.”

Mr Crocker was born in Wardington and after living in Ratley, Warwickshire, moved to Daventry in his 50s.

Steve said: “He worked for Rangemaster in Leamington since the early 1970s. He once took retirement, but soon ended up working there again. His colleagues all loved him to bits, they’re all devastated.”

Mr Crocker had been crossing the roundabout at the top the The Hollows at around 12.15pm on November 4 when a black Vauxhall Vectra collided with him and a 63-year-old woman, who received only minor injuries.

Mr Crocker was flown by air ambulance to hospital, but failed to overcome his injuries.

Steve said: “I want to thank all the staff at the Coventry Walsgrave Hospital in critical care for all the work they did for Pete. We can’t thank them enough, and they treated us and his friends wonderfully.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information should call them on 101.

There was plenty of guts but no glory for the Wanderers as Bath United were crowned Aviva ‘A’ League champions at Franklin’s Gardens on Monday night.

The Saints shadow squad had come back from 17-3 down to level at the break as a Howard Packman score and a penalty try restored parity.

But prop Charlie Beech pounced with 20 minutes to go and wing Richard Lane rounded things off to complete a 29-20 victory and send the silverware to the Recreation Ground.

Tom Biggs and Gavin Henson, names who demonstrated the strength of the Bath side, put the visitors in command with an early score apiece.

Biggs burst through to give Bath the lead inside the opening three minutes, with fly-half Tom Heathcote adding the extras.

Wanderers Kiwi kicker Glenn Dickson landed an immediate riposte to cut the gap to four points, but the Bath back line were enjoying plenty of joy and some great work from Nick Abendanon, who grabbed his own chip through, set up Henson to score.

Heathcote’s conversion put the away team in command at 14-3 up and the Wanderers were in real need of a strong response.

But Bath were defending impressively and after relieving the pressure on their own line they pushed forward to win a penalty, which was missed by Heathcote.

He made a better job of another tee kick soon after, though, and the Wanderers were dealt another blow in the process as hooker Mike Haywood saw yellow.

The home side may have been down, but they weren’t out and Packman issued a reply by finishing off a move started by a big carry from impressive flanker Matt Williams.

Dickson slotted the conversion superbly and suddenly there were just seven points in it.

Williams was leading the effort to get back on terms as he continued to bulldoze Bath players with alarming regularity.

The Wanderers forwards were cranking up the heat and Bath captain Kane Palma-Newport paid the price as he was sin-binned for offending five metres out.

The away side simply couldn’t resist as the home pack kept applying the pressure at the scrum, leaving referee Darren Gamage with no option but to award a penalty try.

Dickson added the extras to send the teams in level at 17-17 at the break and the first 20 minutes of the second half were to be nip and tuck as Bath kept the Wanderers at bay.

They then hit their hosts with a sucker punch as a huge maul from 22 metres took them to the line and Beech pounced to put his team back in front.

Dickson reduced the deficit to four points with a penalty nine minutes from time but Lane ended any hopes of a comeback with a right wing run that took him over the line.

Wanderers: Diggin; Packman, Stephenson, G Dickson, Artemyev (Skelcey 71); Olver (Hooley 64), A Day; E Waller (Warren 64), Haywood (McMillan 59), Denman (Parkins 64), Verbakel, Woolford, Harrison, Williams, van Velze.

Replacements not used: Onojaife, Harry, Glynn.

Bath United: Adendanon (Devoto 48); Lane, Clark, Henson, Biggs; Heathcote, Young (Cook 56); Beech, Dunn, P-Newport, Ewels, Caldwell, Ellis, Gilbert, Skuse.

Replacements not used: Woolstencroft, Jamieson, Clarke, Northcote-Green, Beer.

Referee: Darren Gamage

RESIDENTS living on The Grange in Daventry have been left angry after sewage came out of the drains and into people’s front gardens.

The sewage came out of the drains at Eden Close on Friday morning. One resident Derek Childs said: “I woke up, opened the curtains and saw all sorts of things in my front garden from toilet roll and waste. The smell was absolutely horrible.

Emma Staples from Anglian Water said: “We’re sorry residents of Eden Close experienced sewer flooding in their road on Friday. This was because of a sewer blockage caused by cooking fat, wet wipes and other unflushable items being wrongly placed in the sewers.

“Our engineers were out over the weekend to jet the sewers and clear the blockage but we would urge everyone to keep drains and sewers clear by letting fat cool and scraping it in the bin, and disposing of wet wipes in the bin rather than down the toilet.”

Saints have announced new deals for five of their first-team players – and more contract renewals are imminent as the club looks to shape its squad for next season.

Tom Wood, Christian Day, Sam Dickinson, Ben Nutley and Mike Haywood have committed their futures to Northampton.

And the Chron understands further re-signings will be revealed in the next day or so.

Retention is the name of the game at Franklin’s Gardens as Saints have assembled a squad packed with power.

And director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: “Our aim is to have as good a squad as we possibly can, and this starts with making sure we re-sign the quality players we have here already.
“It is a big statement for both the club and the players that these agreements have been done so early.”

A prolific family of car thieves have been ordered to pay back a quarter of a million pounds of their criminal gains.

On Friday at Northampton Crown Court, the judge ordered the family, to pay back £253,322 or face longer prison terms.

The family, Martin Warren, his partner Jacqueline Neal, and their two sons Christopher Neal and Jason Warren, all from Crawshaws Road in Birmingham, were originally sentenced in February 2013.

They ran a criminal business, with Land Rovers being stolen, netting them in excess of £1 million between 2005 and 2010.

The investigation, which began in August 2010, revealed Land Rovers had been stolen from across four counties, including in Newnham and Lower Boddington.

In February Martin Warren, 52, was found guilty of conspiracy to steal, convert and conceal criminal property. He was sentenced to nine years in jail. Last week, at a proceeds of crime hearing, he was ordered to pay back £159,928 within 30 months.

Jacqueline Neal, 53, was found guilty of conspiracy to convert and conceal criminal property. She was sentenced to two years and nine months. And must now pay back £78,154 within 20 months.

Christopher Neal, 30, was found guilty of conspiracy to convert and conceal criminal property. He was sentenced to two years and ordered to pay back £12,842 in six months.

Jason Warren, 22, was found guilty of conspiracy to convert and conceal criminal property. He was sentenced to one year and six months and has now been ordered to pay back £2,397 within four months.

Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, said: “So far, through our Proceeds of Crime Act grants scheme, we have supported a wide range of schemes and organisations who are using the money to help tackle the blight of crime in their communities or give victims the help and support they need.”

A 50-YEAR-OLD man was injured after he was the victim of an attempted robbery in Daventry.

It happened on Friday December 13 between 1am and 1.10am.

He was walking his dog along the path near to the iCon building. He heard a rustling in the bushes and noticed a man standing to his left.

The man punched the victim in the head and demanded he hand over his wallet and phone. The victim refused and then noticed another man. After a struggle the two offenders ran off empty handed.

One of the attackers is described as a white man, aged 29-32, 6ft 1in, with dark hair and of heavy build. He was wearing black trainers, a red T-shirt and a black hooded top.

The other is described as a white man, aged 18-24, 5ft 10in, with cropped mousey blonde hair and of athletic build. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a dark hooded top and silvery white trainers.

The victim suffered cuts to his head.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Vasily Artemyev has tipped teen talents Tom Collins and Howard Packman to become complete players for Saints.

Artemyev played his last game for Northampton on Monday night as he lined up on the wing for the Wanderers in the 29-20 Aviva ‘A’ League final defeat to Bath.

On the other side of the pitch was 18-year-old Packman, who came off his wing to score a first-half try.

And Saints also have another youngster making a name for himself this season in Collins, a 19-year-old who played a key role in the stunning win against Leinster in Dublin last Saturday.

Artemyev has been hugely impressed with the young pair and believes they, along with flankers Matt Williams and Teimana Harrison, are well equipped to become big players for Northampton.

“Tom Collins, Howard Packman – they keep getting first-team experience and it will raise their game and make them more complete players,” said the Russian.

“Matt Williams and Teimana Harrison have really shown that they deserve to be playing in any top Premiership side.

“They are very close to getting their chance at the Saints, it’s just that the back row competition is huge at the moment.

“Matt and Teimana would probably be in any other club’s first team and they are people to watch.”

BRAUNSTON Cinema Club will be showing a festive movie from the 1980s later this month.

A Christmas Story is to be screened on Saturday, December 21 at 7.30pm in Braunston Village Hall.

The film, which has become a classic since its release in 1983, focuses on a little boy in 1950s America who desperately wants an air-rifle for Christmas, but everyone seems dead against it.

In his quest for the BB gun, Ralphie undergoes many trials – like a C+ for his essay and guilt about daring a friend to stick his tongue on an icy fence.

Tickets for the screening are £4 for members and £6 for non-members. For further details or to book tickets in advance call 07989 421836 or, alternatively, email: braunstoncinemaclub@gmail.com.

Saints face a five-day turnaround in Heineken Cup Pool 1 in January after the fixtures were announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Jim Mallinder’s men head to Ospreys on Sunday, January 12 (kick-off 12.45pm) before returning to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Castres on Friday, January 17 (kick-off 8pm).

Leinster face a similarly tough schedule as they go to Castres on January 12 and host Ospreys five days later.

Those games will decide the destination of the pool, with Saints currently four points adrift of summit side Leinster.

Northampton produced a stunning performance to claim an 18-9 win in Dublin last weekend to keep their hopes alive.

And they will now be targeting back-to-back victories, while hoping their Irish rivals slip up as they bid to make the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

Saints have been hit with a £60,000 fine for allowing George North to play for Wales outside of the IRB window.

North was given permission to take to the field for his country against Australia on November 30, the same day as Northampton beat Worcester in the Aviva Premiership.

Premiership clubs have an agreement in place that only England players can be released outside of the international window.

That led Premiership Rugby to haul Saints in front of a disciplinary panel, which decided the club should face a fine.

Northampton will not appeal against the decision.

The Daventry Express has sent its photographers across the Daventry district to take photos of Christmas productions at schools and nurseries.

Some of these, alongside photos submitted by readers, will be featured in tomorrow’s (Thursday) Daventry Express.

The remaining photos will be in the paper on the Boxing Day edition of the paper.

Christian Day’s red hat has become as synonymous with the Saints second row as the red briefcase is with the UK Budget.

The Blackpool-born lock is a staple feature of a Northampton side that is made to tick by the power and experience of its pack.

No one epitomises Dorian West’s well-drilled unit more than Day, whose dominance in the lineout and leadership skills are second to none.

He may not be one of the more heralded members of the side, but he is certainly one of the most important.

So there was good news for Saints fans this week as the 30-year-old was announced as one of five forwards to commit their future to the club.

“If players are signing up before January you know they haven’t really looked around and they’re pretty settled where they are,” said Day.

“I was very happy to re-sign and pledge the next couple of years of my career to the Saints.”

Day’s value to the Northampton team was underlined in the recent game against Leinster at Franklin’s Gardens.

He spent the first half of that 40-7 rout sitting on the bench as Saints struggled to get a foothold in the game.

They went in at half-time 26-0 down and called for their wily campaigner to come on and pull the sinking ship out of choppy waters after half-time.

A week later, Day was back in the starting lineout, helping to steer Saints to a stunning 18-9 victory against the same opponents at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

“It’s been a good few days,” admitted the second row forward. “It was good to get the win away against a really good team and the news I’d signed a new contract was very good.

“It’s been very enjoyable here this season. We’ve brought in some fresh faces in the summer and we’re not just playing well but we’re also enjoying our rugby.

“That’s very important if you want to sustain success over a whole season. You don’t want to walk around with a sad face.”

Day admitted he had considered quitting the game before leaving Sale, with whom he won the Premiership, for a short spell at Stade Francais in 2008.

But his time in France and at Saints has re-energised the player, whose second row partnership with Courtney Lawes continues to go from strength to strength.

“My time here’s had its ups and downs, but it’s been pretty good for the most part,” said Day, a former England Under-21 captain.

“It’s good that I’m now one of the senior players, one of the oldest guys in the team and still enjoying my rugby.

“When I went out to France I was very down about rugby, but that opened my eyes to a different way of playing.

“It was good fun and since coming here I feel my game has come on in leaps and bounds and I’ve definitely improved as a player.

“I’ve definitely got a lot of gratitude for the coaches and the club for bringing me here.”

As Day points out, he is now one of the more experienced members of the Saints squad.

During recent spells out injured, he has taken to helping coach the club’s youngsters, passing on his wisdom whenever possible.

And the studious character, who has clocked up 116 Saints appearances, is enjoying seeing the talent that is coming through.

“The likes of Tom Collins starting away in the Aviva Stadium in front of nearly 50,000 people and was one of the best players on the pitch, I thought, so it shows you the Academy is working and it’s starting to turn out top class youngsters,” said Day.

“You don’t just see them on Monday night (for the Wanderers), you see them in the Premiership and the Heineken now which is real testament to the success of the Academy.”

From old to young, Saints are impressing.

Day is certainly one of the most vital components of a squad that appears to be going places and, thanks to his new deal, he will continue to be for years to come.