Saints won’t move Leinster clash to Milton Keynes, says Hewitt

Northampton have moved matches to stadium:mk in the past due to it’s 22,000 capacity, which is nearly 8,500 more than Franklin’s Gardens.

Saints played their Heineken Cup pool game against Munster at Milton Keynes in January, 2012, capitalising on the extra revenue generated by the large travelling support.

Leinster, too, are likely to bring a sizeable group of fans to the game this season, but Hewitt says taking it away from the Gardens is not on the agenda.

“It will definitely be played in Northampton,” he said. “It’s fantastic for the club to be able to keep it in Northampton.”

The decision to keep the game at the Gardens ties in with yesterday’s announcement that Saints and the borough council will be working together to promote Northampton.

They will tie in with the current ‘Love Northampton’ campaign, aimed at bringing more fans to the town and enhancing the experience of those already here.

And Saints chief executive Allan Robson believes such a partnership can prove profitable to all parties.

“A healthy relationship between a sports club and the local council can be very beneficial to all concerned,” said Robson.

“We have been proud to carry the town’s name throughout our 130-year history, and in many places across the globe the word Saints is one of the first things people say when you mention Northampton.

“This partnership will help not just the club, but our supporters and the town’s businesses as well.”