Returning World Cup star Courtney Lawes said it was great to be back at cinch Stadium at Frankin’s Gardens as Northampton Saints defeated Exeter Chiefs.
Tries from Tommy Freeman, Curtis Langdon, Alex Mitchell and Fraser Dingwall plus 14 points from man-of-the-match Fin Smith secured the men in Black, Green and Gold maximum points in a 34-19 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Gallagher Premiership Round Five fixture was Lawes’ first in Club colours this season and since he called time on his glittering England career.
“It’s great to be home with the family, it’s just so different when you’ve got a family and you’re away,” said the 34-year-old. “It’s really nice to be home, it was great to be back out there in the Gardens and again, it’s great to start with a win for myself anyway.
“It’s good to be playing that kind of rugby in that kind of weather and we will take the five points.”
Courtney Lawes
Key to Saints’ victory was their strong defensive performance that forced errors and turnovers to stay on top in the counter.
“It’s a massive work-on for us,” said Lawes on Saints’ defence. “We’ve got Lee [Radford] here now he’s doing a great job. You can’t win Premierships without a good defence. It’s something will look to continue working on, getting better, building into the season.
“Training wise we’re just a lot clearer. We’re pretty physical with each other on a week-to-week basis, well, what I can tell from this week in training. It all goes into building a really strong defence. Obviously you’ve got to be careful you don’t overdo that, the physical side of it, you’ve got to make sure you’re mentally ready for the game and don’t get too big a hit out in the week.”
The five-point haul takes Saints into the top-four ahead of the East Midlands derby against Leicester Tigers in Round Six at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Reflecting on Saints chances of going all the way and lifting the Premiership title at Twickenham in June, Lawes added: “It’s the same as previous seasons, anyone is in with a shout, especially for top four. Then onto the semi-final and final, anyone can win these games.
“We have to take each game as it comes and make sure we pick up as many points as we can and put ourselves in a good position. Everyone wants a home semi-final and that’s what we strive for.”
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