Life after the Splash
One way or another, it has been a mixed bag of a season for Northampton Saints so far. After a nightmare start to their league campaign when their most influential players were at the World Cup, to reaching and then losing the LV=Cup final and now to sitting just three games away from taking home the domestic silverware for the first time ever.
Jim Mallinder's men will take to the field this weekend knowing that a win against Worcester Warriors at Franklins Gardens will be enough to see them qualify for the Aviva Premiership play-offs. But what they will also know is that whatever happens in the remainder of this season, a number of key players will be on their way through the exit door, none more so than Chris Ashton.
The flying England winger will depart for Saracens at the end of the current campaign as he seeks a more consistent opportunity for honours at Vicarage Road. Ashton cited the need for a new challenge and having spent the best part of five years with the Saints, in particular through some difficult times, it is hard to question his loyalty as he looks to further his career.
Ashton's move to Saracens had the same feeling as ripping off a plaster; initially it hurt most supporters that he wanted to leave but then, slowly but surely, most Saints fans came round to the idea that in the long term, the move may well benefit both player and club as Ashton has probably got all he can out of his time at Northampton.
For any Saints fans that are still concerned about Ashton's departure though, there have been some positive signs this season which point to the fact that there will be 'life after the splash'. The emergence of young winger Jamie Elliott, who stood in as an excellent deputy while Ashton was on international duty, has shown that there may well be a ready-made replacement for the ex rugby-league man and that his departure may well pave the way for Elliott to make the step up and take the position on a more permanent basis.
Some of the more solid but less spectacular players in James Downey, Roger Wilson, Andy Long, Jon Clarke and Greig Tonks are also on their way out of the Gardens as the squad list takes a real hit. But Mallinder has already recruited centre Luther Burrell, number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze and forward Sam Dickinson as replacements with more signings still to come over the summer months.
It is equally important that Mallinder brings in a good quality of player rather than making desperate signings to appease supporters who want the squad to be bolstered. The Saints boss must take his time to bring in the correct players who aren't going to upset the balance or spirit of the side as it is at present.
So this weekend's clash with the Warriors will be the home swansong for a number of the Saints best performers in recent times but life will still go on without them. In fact, for Mallinder and his emerging side, a life challenging for silverware may only just be beginning.
