Premiership side set to star in behind the scenes Netflix-like series

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by Steven Smith

Monday, 15 June 2020 at 20:59

bySteven Smith

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Gallagher Premiership side Northampton Saints are reportedly set to open their doors for a groundbreaking behind-the-scenes documentary series.

The project took a big jump forward after Chris Boyd, the director of rugby, gave the project his approval.

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Northampton Saints to open doors for fly-on-the-wall documentary series thetimes.co.uk/article/northa…

4:10 PM · Jun 15, 2020

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It's set to be rugby’s equivalent to the Netflix series Sunderland ’Til I Die, which has been very popular on the platform.

CSM Sport & Entertainment, the sports marketing giant, has been engaged to find broadcasting and production partners for the project.

There is a connection between Saints and Sunderland as Saints commercial director Tony Davison was previously the managing director at the Stadium of Light

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“There is something about sport that does stir people to get on board. Rugby struggles to appeal to a new demographic and to get the young people involved," said Davison.

"If this ended up on Amazon or Netflix you could get a whole new generation of fans as well as a whole new spread of fans (around the world).

“It could be that we become the club team of choice for a whole new generation and that opens up commercial opportunities.”

LIST | 5 hilarious Jason Leonard stories

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England legend Jason Leonard has told many great stories down the years.

Here are some of our favourites.

1. 'I didn't do it'

Just before we headed out to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, all the players agreed on a booze ban when coach Jack Rowell discovered that someone had come in at 2am. He accused me at training the next day and I flatly denied it. As I told Martin Bayfield standing next to me: "It couldn't have been me Bayf - I didn't get in until 4am." Poor Bayf just burst out laughing.

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2. Origins of Fun Bus

Coming back from injury, Leonard was called up for an England tour to South Africa 1993 despite putting on a bit of weight. We had these big cotton shirts, which were bright red and looked skin tight on me. Martin Bayfield, because of my London accent and the red shirt, thought I looked like a big red bus, hense 'fun bus'.

3. Argentina tour

Extract from Jason Leonard's autobiogaphy.

4. His funniest stories

In this video, he picks a couple involving Australasia's Prime Minister and the late, great Nelson Mandela.

Jason Leonard's funniest moments in Rugby from Rugby Business Network on Vimeo.

5. 28 pints

Prop Jason Leonard noted that he had 28 pints of lager and when the astounded, part-time nutritionist asked just exactly he was up to each week to consume 28 pints, he was met with a confused look. "That's 28 pints on the Saturday and eight to settle the head on Sunday," Leonard replied.

Jason Leonard’s Drinking XV | Legend picks his top boozers

England legend Jason Leonard has picked his drinking XV of players from down the years that he'd want with him for long sessions and it's brilliant.

Although he did make sure to pick a designated driver, which we say is VERY sensible.

Gavin Hastings (Full-back, Scotland)

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Rory Underwood (Wing and designated driver, England)
Jerry Guscott (Centre, England)

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Scott Gibbs (Centre, Wales)
Scott Hastings (Wing, Scotland)
Stuart Barnes (Outside-half, England)
Robert Jones (Scrum-half, Wales. Replaced at half-time by Dewi Morris, England)

Paul Rendall (Prop, England)
Brian Moore (Hooker, England)

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Jeff Probyn (Prop, England)
Wade Dooley (Lock, England)
Norm Hadley (Lock, Canada)
Peter Winterbottom (Flanker, England)
Dean Richards (No8, England)