Northampton Saints have won their first Premiership title for 10 years, after overcoming a valiant Bath side at Twickenham Stadium. It was the fairytale ending for Saints legend Courtney Lawes, who will now depart the club as a two-time Premiership champion after 17 years of playing in green, black and gold.
There was plenty to discuss following the final whistle, as the coaches and captains from both Bath and Northampton Saints gave their post-match reactions. Courtney Lawes took the reporting media off guard, as he arrived in the Twickenham press centre topless and sporting a pair of blue tinted ski goggles. Lawes explained how the goggles were to protect his eyes from the spraying celebratory alcohol, and is not sure where he left his final Northampton jersey with the scenes turning ‘messy’ in the Saints changing rooms.
Lawes and Dowson spoke at length to the media, covering everything from their Premiership Final performance to the prospect of Courtney’s international return with the 2025 British & Irish Lions. Here are the top five talking points from the Northampton Saints press conference, following the 2024 Premiership Rugby Final win over Bath.
1. Perfect Send Off for Courtney Despite not being the Perfect Saints Performance
COURTNEY LAWES: “To be honest, I couldn’t believe we had actually won it because we tried so hard to lose it. At the end of the game, I was actually pretty pissed off. Slowly it has kind of settled in. We did what we needed to. We got across the finish line, and that’s what rugby is. Sometimes it doesn’t look pretty, and it certainly didn’t today, but we won, and that’s what matters.”
“I think it will take a bit of time to set in. You always focus on the next thing in rugby, the next job is always so important. I played my last game at Franklin’s Gardens last week, and you barely take a moment to appreciate it because you’ve got a bigger game the week after. Because of that, you are never really looking backwards or too far forwards. It takes a little while to sink in.
There are a lot of things I will never do again at the Saints, but I owe the club so much. It won’t be the last time I contribute something to the club. I’m just really happy to have been able to deliver what the club deserves, really.”
PHIL DOWSON: “Loads has been written about his playing ability, and the way he’s evolved in the game, going second row to back row, his turnover ability, carrying the ball. He’s always had the ability to cut people in half and lineout ability. Courts has had the desire and mentality to get better.
But more importantly this year is how much he’s added to the group. We’ve got a young group, there’s no hiding that. His presence and the confidence is really obvious through the group in games like today, games like last week or at Croke Park. Courts has been there and done that on the biggest stages. Players look to him and that is something that is intangible. That has a huge impact on the players around the group. He has allowed them to grow.”
2. Courtney Lawes would play for the 2025 British & Irish Lions If He Was Asked
COURTNEY LAWES: “I don’t think it’s any secret, I’d love to be involved in another Lions tour. It’s not the same, you know, the reason I retired from international rugby is because I didn’t want to be away every couple of months, for months on end. Whereas the Lions is two months, I can bring my family out and we can have a good time. Having said that, I’m not expecting it. But if I do get the opportunity I’ll be there.”