Saracens 17 Northampton Saints 21: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Yes, the likes of Henry Pollock and Tommy Freeman, England and British & Irish Lions icons, certainly played their part in an incredibly spirited success against Saracens in the plush surrounds of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But the players who really stood out among the crowd were men who don’t get such international recognition and haven’t yet made the cut for the pre-match billboards.

Tom Pearson was typically indefatigable, delivering a player of the match performance and a reminder of why he really should be given more England recognition than he currently enjoys.

Then there were 21-year-old Archie McParland, filling in for injured Lion Alex Mitchell, and Tom Litchfield, the 23-year-old Swiss army knife, who is such an important squad member for Saints as he always steps up in big matches and he can seamlessly switch between centre and wing.

Pollock was, of course, at his tenacious best, while George Furbank showed his class from full-back and then fly-half.

But how fantastic it was to see the likes of Pearson, McParland and Litchfield claim the headlines.

That shows just how strong this current squad is and the depth that Saints possess.

And what a squad effort this was against a Saracens side wounded by their evisceration at Bath eight days earlier.

Saints were on the ropes at times, taking injury blow after injury blow.

And their collective head could have been gone down when they saw a 14-0 lead turn into a three-point deficit with eight minutes to go.

But despite losing Manny Iyogun, Fin Smith and Trevor Davison along the way, they somehow summoned a late surge.

JJ van der Mescht was a picture of power as he was twice held up over the line, but Saints eventually got the ball down when Fraser Dingwall’s beautiful pass released Litchfield and he powered forward, as he had done all day, before showing great awareness and composure to set up the onrushing McParland for what proved to be the winning try.

Saints still have to navigate a nervy last 90 seconds, and they were given a helping hand by Saracens’ indiscipline in the final moments.

But this was a win they deserved for their sheer endeavour and their palpable spirit.

For their refusal to lose.

And for their ability to overcome setback after setback.

The celebrations that greeted every try and the final whistle showed just how many Saints fans there were in the stands.

It almost felt like there were more in their number than that of Saracens, such was the noise from those backing Northampton.

It is support this team fully deserves as a likeable and extremely talented set of men continue to produce performances their people can be so proud of.

The Shoe Army have still only lost once in the league this season, on a bizarre and uncharacteristic night at Bristol.

They have put last season’s away-day woes to bed in some style, showing bucketloads of belief and skill on the road time and again.

And that wouldn’t have happened without unsung stars like McParland and Litchfield, who emphasised again on Saturday evening that they have what it takes to force their own way onto the billboards of the future.

How they rated…

GEORGE FURBANK – all class. He just oozes ability, helping Saints to get on the front foot early on with some lovely direct running and a wonderful 50:22. Switched to fly-half effortlessly and his experience and security was so key… 8.5

TOMMY FREEMAN – a strange day for the incredibly talented wing as the ball rarely went anywhere near him. All of the attacks at the start of the game came on the left, but he kept going and had a say late on, putting pressure on Saracens with a clever kick ahead… 7

TOM LITCHFIELD – a statement performance from the centre, who delivers time and again for Saints. He was full of power and precision, scoring one try and setting up the crucial winner for McParland… 8.5

RORY HUTCHINSON – so many classy touches at the start of the game as Saracens struggled to get a grip on him early on, and he also showed his determination in defence in the second half… 8

JAMES RAMM – was up and at ‘em from the off, causing Saracens with his elusive running and he also looked secure under the high ball when Saints really needed him to in the closing stages… 8

FIN SMITH – produced a brilliant try assist for McParland during the first half and it was such a shame to see him have to leave the field before failing a head injury assessment… 7.5

ARCHIE MCPARLAND – another excellent showing from the talented young scrum-half as he helped to keep the tempo high in the opening 20 minutes. Played the full 80 minutes and his energy in the closing stages earned him the match-winning try… 8.5

MANNY IYOGUN – a really physical showing during his time on the field, as he helped to clear out at the breakdown on key occasions and thundered into collisions before having to come off injured… 7

CURTIS LANGDON – energy, energy energy. This guy just keeps going and going and he was haring around the field to good effect… 7.5

LUKE GREEN – came back on after Davison had to go off and kept performing as he had before he had been replaced, looking really steady and showcasing some good passing from time to time… 7.5

TOM LOCKETT – a big shift from the lock, who carried hard, tackled hard and caused Saracens issues at lineout time… 8

ED PROWSE – a strong showing from the lock, who made some really good ground at times and who looked at home on the big stage… 7

JOSH KEMENY – did so much dirty work for his team, getting through plenty of tackles and disrupting Saracens with his ability to get around the field at speed… 8

TOM PEARSON – CHRON STAR MAN – seemed to be almost everywhere for the full 80 minutes. The work he got through was incredible and he made so many important contributions for his team… 8.5

HENRY POLLOCK – an all-action showing from the back row forward, who continually delivers on the big stage. Made a vital try-saving tackle on Hugh Tizard and just kept popping up with important moments… 8.5

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

DANILO FISCHETTI (for Iyogun 27) – got better and better as the game went on as he celebrated a win on his return to Saints action… 7

FRASER DINGWALL (for Smith 31) – produced a lovely little pass for Litchfield to set up McParland and having this man’s experience and composure to bring from the bench was huge for Saints… 7.5

JJ VAN DER MESCHT (for Prowse 51) – a massive presence here as he provided Saints with a huge option in the bid to gain much-needed ground. Was held up over the line on two occasions… 8