It turns out you can spend a fortune on a Barrett, dress it in blue, parade it round the Aviva like the Second Coming, and still lose to a bunch of lads from Northampton who came with nothing but grit, cohesion, and the impudence to play actual rugby, even when they had a couple of players in the bin at the end.
What a horror for the PR departments. All those carefully drafted “Barrett effect” puff pieces now awkwardly shelved behind grim-faced photos of Leinster’s finest being outclassed by a club that prefers teamwork over transfer fees. The Saints didn’t read the script. Perhaps they don’t subscribe to the brochure where Irish provinces are preordained to win at home and English clubs are meant to be gallant losers. How rude.
From the first whistle, Saints looked like they were there to steal silverware, not admire it; Tommy Freeman getting the first of a hat trick that won him “man of the match”. Leinster huffed, puffed, and presumably asked politely if Saints might show a bit more respect for the hosting arrangements. Saints declined. Repeatedly.
Let’s be clear. This wasn’t the plucky underdog story the Irish punditry might spin to soothe themselves. This was control, strategy, physicality and intelligence, all executed by a team that has been building something real, rather than shopping for magic beans. It turns out a functioning breakdown beats a big reputation, a solid kicking game beats pre-match fireworks, and organisation beats expensive cameos.
The Aviva stadium has this year hosted two major home defeats that went against its expectations; there was that win by France in the 6N and now to an English side. Is it a crisis? Of course not. It’s just “part of the process.” But it does suggest the fortress might need a bit of pointing, or at least a new coat of paint. The cracks are showing, and Saints brought a crowbar.
And poor Beauden. Flown halfway across the world, expected to fix everything with a wink and a sidestep, only to find himself targeted, pressured, and, in the end, largely neutralised. Maybe next time someone suggests parachuting in a superstar to paper over cracks, the committee might consider a pack that knows each other’s names first.
Northampton were superb. This was a team that knew what it was doing, where it was going, and who it was taking with it. They played like champions, not tourists. They controlled territory, they picked their moments, and they delivered the kind of performance that makes people stop looking at names on a team sheet and start watching the rugby.
So yes, Saints have done it. Again. Another win on Irish soil, another reminder that belief beats branding, and a firm shake of the head to those who think trophies can be bought off the shelf.
#goodgame
Photo by Joost Crop
