Dickinson says it has to be a top-two finish for Saints

Northampton need just a point from their home clash with Wasps on Saturday to book a play-off semi-final at Franklin’s Gardens next Friday night (May 16).

They will also be sure of a home date should Leicester fail to get a maximum five points from their game against table-toppers Saracens at Welford Road this weekend.

And having occupied a spot in the league’s top two for almost the entire season, Dickinson knows what a blow it would be not to finish the job this weekend.

“It’s not something we want to think about,” he said.

“That’s the target and that’s what we’re aiming for.

“It would be disappointing if we missed out on that, but the guys going down to Saracens in the semi-finals last year showed they can do the job if we need to.

“But for now it’s all about getting that home semi-final.

“It would be massive to finish in the top two and it’s something you set out to achieve at the start of the season.

“With so many people going away with so many different countries during the season it’s been great for lads who normally play Wanderers stepping up.

“It would be a great achievement for the squad as a whole.”