Northampton Saints began their PREM Rugby title defence with a 59-26, nine-try win over Newcastle Red Bulls, with Tommy Freeman and 19-year-old full-back James Pater each scoring a hat-trick on the opening night of the season.
The defending champions were repeatedly able to find space through their fast-moving attack, according to the Guardian, while Sky Sports reported that their nine tries made for a convincing result against a Newcastle side that had finished bottom in the previous campaign.
It is far too early to draw title conclusions from one fixture, particularly against a Newcastle side that had recruited extensively since last season. But the performance suggested Northampton’s attack could again be a major strength.
Freeman and Pater drive Saints’ nine-try start
Freeman’s three tries included a 61st-minute score that completed his hat-trick. Pater also crossed three times, including the final try of the match, in a performance the Guardian described as highly promising for both player and club.
George Hendy, Alex Coles and Ollie Sleightholme supplied Northampton’s other tries. Fin Smith converted five, while Anthony Belleau added two conversions, Sky Sports reported.
| Northampton try-scorers | Tries |
|---|---|
| Tommy Freeman | 3 |
| James Pater | 3 |
| George Hendy, Alex Coles, Ollie Sleightholme | 1 each |
Newcastle struck first through Christian Wade, but the Guardian reported that a sin-bin period for Harrison Obatoyinbo coincided with Northampton finding a higher attacking gear. Hendy then finished a line-out move before Freeman’s first try secured a try bonus point after 24 minutes.
Coles’ try, created after Fraser Dingwall put him through, gave Saints a 31-14 half-time lead. The hosts continued to attack in the final quarter, with Sleightholme taking them beyond 50 points before Pater completed his treble.
The Guardian said Pater’s first try came from a delayed line on the left, while he was in position to score again with Newcastle temporarily reduced to 14 players. It also noted a second-half break from Henry Pollock, but Northampton did not need their flanker to dominate the contest individually. Hendy’s line-out finish and Dingwall’s pass for Coles further illustrated how Saints created chances through several attacking routes.
The result gave substance to the Guardian’s assessment that Northampton’s backs will again be difficult to contain. The range of try-scorers, alongside the two hat-tricks, offered evidence of attacking contributions across the side.
That balance matters for a side seeking to retain the Premiership title. The Guardian reported that Northampton are aiming to become the first club in seven years to win consecutive PREM titles, although it also noted that more demanding tests await over a long campaign.
Newcastle show attacking intent despite defeat
For Newcastle, the scoreline was a difficult first competitive measure of a squad that Sky Sports said had recruited extensively since last season. The visitors nevertheless showed more energy and ambition than in recent times, according to the Guardian, and scored four tries.
Wade crossed twice, taking his Premiership try total to 95, Sky Sports reported. That left him six behind Chris Ashton’s record. Cam Jordan and Werner Kok also scored, while Zack Henry converted two tries and Brett Connon added one conversion.
Those moments gave Newcastle attacking returns to build upon, but the Guardian said Newcastle never looked likely to overturn the early-season odds after Northampton took control. The Guardian reported that Newcastle’s stronger-looking side were still repeatedly opened up, underlining the challenge of turning recruitment into immediate defensive cohesion.
Northampton’s performance should therefore be treated as an early warning rather than a verdict on the title race. Yet a nine-try victory, two hat-tricks and a 33-point margin provided an emphatic opening indication that the champions have begun with considerable attacking fluency.