Northampton Saints title not only marked the end of a 10-year title drought, but it also brought the curtain down on iconic forward Courtney Lawes’ time with the club.
The England legend is heading to French club Brive next season, however he ended his time in Green, Black and Gold the best possible way with a title win.
Lawes has made over 280 appearances for the club since his debut in 2007, and he gave an emotional tribute to the club following their 25-21 win over Bath in the Premiership final.
“It’s weird in Rugby, because you’re always focused on the next thing,” said Lawes. “The next job is always so important. Playing my last game at Franklin’s Gardens last week, you barely take a moment to appreciate it and take it in because you’ve got a bigger game the week after.
“Because of that, you’re never really looking backwards; you’re never looking too far forward either. It takes a little while to sink in. I found myself this week just thinking about the fact that there’s a lot of things that I’ll never do again at the Saints.
“I owe the club so much, but 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.”
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Northampton had to fight tooth and nail to beat 14-man Bath at Twickenham. Dowson’s side were 21-18 down going into the final five minutes, but a late try from Alex Mitchell snatched the lead late in the day.
They nearly lost it in the final play too, however George Hendy, who set up Mitchell’s winning try, ripped the ball out of Orlando Bailey’s hands to allow Fraser Dingwall to smash the ball out of play.
Commenting on his side’s victory, Lawes said the performance wasn’t too pleasing…
“I couldn’t believe we’d actually won it, because we tried so hard to lose it!” he exclaimed to laughter from Phil Dowson. “I was actually pretty pissed off at the end of the game; but then it slowly settled in. We did what we needed to do.”
“We got across the finish line and that’s what rugby is. Sometimes it doesn’t look pretty, it certainly didn’t today, but we won and that’s what matters.”
“I was like ‘what do I need to do to get this game over the line? And then you actually at the end, I thought ‘did we do it? Did we win?
“I’ve got the medal to show for it, but the credit goes to the boys this season. It’s been a hell of a ride. I’m very grateful for this team and very much looking forward to what they can do in the future.”
Northampton now prepare for life without Courtney Lawes, however the victory at Twickenham cements his place in Saints legend.