Northampton Saints

Global bosses could allow the Aviva Premiership to kick off during the knockout stages of Rugby World Cup 2015 in a bid to diffuse England's latest club-versus-country row

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is confident Saints are well equipped for their Aviva Premiership title defence despite their lack of new signings over the summer.

British and Irish Lion Alex Corbisiero believes that resting his troublesome knee this summer will pay dividends for both Northampton and England in the new season.

Premiership champions Northampton Saints have signed Newcastle Falcons half-back Joel Hodgson.

English champions Northampton must wait to discover if they will be a tier one team in Tuesday's inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup draw.

Jim Mallinder has toasted Northampton's first Aviva Premiership title by signing a five-year contract extension with the Franklin's Gardens club.

So often this season a match has been described as a game of two halves. However, on Saturday afternoon at Twickenham Stadium we were treated to 4 quarters of pulsating rugby.

Dylan Hartley has revealed his year-long obsession to see Northampton crowned champions of England.

After 22 Rounds and two semi-finals, just two teams remain... on Saturday afternoon at the Home of English rugby, Saracens and the Northampton Saints will go head to head in the battle to be crowned the2014 Aviva Premiership Champions.

Schalk Brits admits Saturday's Aviva Premiership final against Northampton is Saracens' biggest "grudge match" as two contrasting cultures collide at Twickenham.

Dylan Hartley's involvement in the Aviva Premiership final and England's tour to New Zealand continues to hang in the balance.

Northampton prop Silesi Ma'afu has been handed a one-week ban and order to pay £500 costs after punching Leicester hooker Tom Youngs in Thursday's Aviva Premiership semi-final.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has confirmed Dylan Hartley's chances of participating in next month's tour to New Zealand are diminishing.

Northampton versus Leicester and Saracens versus Harlequins – on paper they are two feisty matches in practice they were even better as over the course of 48 hours we witnessed the type of rugby that makes you proud to be a supporter.

England hooker Dylan Hartley remains locked in a fitness battle to play any part in Northampton's twin final fortnight.

Northampton defied Salesi Ma'afu's red card and the weight of history to bludgeon into the Aviva Premiership final with a 21-20 victory over Leicester in a bad-tempered battle at Franklin's Gardens.

Fit-again Alex Corbisiero can have a "massive influence" on the closing stages of Northampton's Aviva Premiership derby semi-final against Leicester on Friday, according to Jim Mallinder.

After 22 rounds of electric action it is time for the semi-final knockouts... these two fixtures do not need a lengthy introduction as the word knockout says it all. It is sink or swim time for four giants of the Aviva Premiership and as spectators we are in for an almighty treat…

Leicester Tigers will play great rivals Northampton Saints away in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals next weekend after clinching third place with a bonus point victory over leaders Saracens at Welford Road.

Two moments of inspiration from Kahn Fotuali'i saw Northampton to an 18-10 win over Harlequins that kept dreams of an Amlin Cup and Premiership double alive.