Dickens confident Saints can defend their Premiership crown

Northampton claimed their first Premiership crown by beating Saracens on the final weekend of May, eight days after winning the Amlin Challenge Cup at Cardiff Arms Park.

It was a stellar season saturated with thrills and spills and ultimately ending in the achievement of Saints’ ultimate aim: to become champions of England.

And Dickens believes the club can take huge confidence from what has gone before as they look to move on from it and ensure it was not just a flash in the pan.

“It was pretty exhausting - and I didn’t even play,” admitted the assistant coach. “It was a long, tough season with the effort the players put in and it’s not what happened on May 31, it’s what happens now and building for the new season.

“We need to put ourselves in the best possible position for the start of the season and see how we go.”

And he added: “Last season was thoroughly enjoyable.

“There are ups and downs, but we learned our lessons throughout the season and improved, which is what we’ll be looking to do this year.”