Lewis Ludlam

George Furbank skippered Saints at Bath (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

'Silly discipline' and 'easy tries' cost Saints at Bath, admits skipper Furbank

Fin Smith impressed against Bedford Blues last Friday (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Mature Smith ready to take another step up at Saints this season

George Furbank (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson full of praise for Furbank after handing him the Saints captaincy

George Furbank (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

'Pretty surreal' - Furbank so happy to be selected as next Saints skipper

George Furbank was a key figure as Saints claimed Gallagher Premiership glory last season (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints and England star Furbank now feels fully at home on the biggest of stages

Saints won the Gallagher Premiership title last season (photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Dowson reveals 'immediate impact' sports psychologist made at Saints last season

Josh Kemeny (picture: Tom Kwah/Northampton Saints)

The big interview: Tom Vickers talks to new Saints star Josh Kemeny

Sam Matavesi has left Saints to join Lyon (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

'Always a moving target' - Dowson discusses Saints recruitment

George Furbank and Lewis Ludlam were key leaders at Saints last season (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints 'need loads of different leaders', says boss Dowson

Phil Dowson (right) won't be able to call on the services of Alex Moon, Alex Waller, Lewis Ludlam and Courtney Lawes next season (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Waller's backing Saints to cope without departing stars

Tom Pearson starts for the first time since lining up against Saracens on March 29 (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Saracens: Full team news

Tom Pearson will start for the first time since March when Saints host Saracens in the sold-out Gallagher Premiership play-off semi-final on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tom Vickers

Lewis Ludlam rallied the troops after Saints' defeat at Bath (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Saints skipper Ludlam quick to switch focus ahead of huge Saracens showdown

Ollie Sleightholme (photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of game against Gloucester

Ollie Sleightholme scored against Harlequins last weekend (photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Saints duo doubtful for Investec Champions Cup semi-final clash with Leinster

Saints were beaten at Twickenham (photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Harlequins 41 Northampton Saints 32: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

George Furbank (photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Vodacom Bulls: Full team news for Saturday's quarter-final

Lewis Ludlam (picture: Ketan Shah)

Spring in the step but work to do as Saints get set for quarter-final clash

George Hendy came off the bench to score twice (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Hendy the super-sub as Saints see off Munster to secure quarter-final spot

Alex Mitchell will be on the bench (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Munster: Full team news for Sunday's Champions Cup clash

It was a tough night for Lewis Ludlam and Saints (photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

'A test of our character' - Ludlam rallies Saints after big Bears loss

Harry Randall scored for Bristol during the first half (photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Another Ashton Gate nightmare for Saints as Bristol rack up half-century again

Josh Kemeny (photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Dowson explains why Saints were so keen to sign Australian ace Kemeny

Josh Kemeny (photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Kemeny can't wait to be part of 'top-class operation' at Saints

Phil Dowson (photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Dowson disappointed to lose Ludlam but confident Saints' future is bright

Lewis Ludlam (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Toulon-bound Ludlam targets silverware send-off at Saints

Saints beat Newcastle on Saturday (photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints 38 Newcastle Falcons 13: Tom Vickers' review and ratings

Rory Hutchinson will make his 150th Saints appearance as he starts at full-back (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons: Full team news for Saturday's game

Lewis Ludlam (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ferguson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of Newcastle Falcons clash

Lewis Ludlam is now back in full training at Saints and could feature against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

Tom Vickers

Lewis Ludlam (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

'I still bleed green' - Saints skipper Ludlam reacts to social media comments

George Furbank scored Saints' first try against Sale (picture: Ketan Shah)

Furbank gets 'extra buzz' from being Saints' stand-in skipper

Burger Odendaal (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson delivers injury update ahead of Saints' clash with Sale Sharks

Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

'Flattering in some ways' that Toulon have showed interest in Saints stars

Temo Mayanavanua (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saracens v Northampton Saints: Full team news for Saturday's game

Lewis Ludlam celebrated scoring a try against Harlequins last Friday night (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers Saints injury update and responds to latest Ludlam links

Alex Coles scored a key try against Harlequins (picture: Ketan Shah)

Northampton Saints 36 Harlequins 33: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Ollie Sleightholme scored twice for Saints (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Sleightholme scores twice as Saints secure thrilling win against Harlequins

Henry Pollock (picture: Ketan Shah)

Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints: Full team news for derby day

George Furbank (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Furbank injury latest as boss Dowson welcomes tough Saints selection decisions

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Saints boss Dowson reacts to Ludlam links to Toulon

Lewis Ludlam starts for Saints against Bath (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Bath: Full team news for the Gallagher Premiership clash

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Saints and Bath set to be boosted by some World Cup players for Gardens showdown

Courtney Lawes at England training on Wednesday (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

'It's a joy!'- Dowson delighted to have Lawes available for Saints for longer

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Saints skipper Ludlam set to play a part for England against Argentina

Tom Seabrook scored an eye-catching try in the Premiership Rugby Cup clash with Bristol last month (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints v Bristol Bears: Full team news for the Premiership clash

Alex Mitchell starts for England against Fiji (photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Saints duo start for England as they face Fiji in World Cup quarter-final

Courtney Lawes and Alex Mitchell will start for England when they face Fiji in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday (kick-off 4pm BST).

Tom Vickers

Angus Scott-Young started at No.8 for Saints against Bath (photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Scott-Young ready to step up at No.8 for Saints

Courtney Lawes captained England to victory against Japan (photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

England 'taking steps forward', says Saints star Lawes after win against Japan

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Ludlam joins Saints team-mates in England starting 15 for Japan clash

Alex Mitchell impressed on his first World Cup appearance

Saints trio shine as England deliver superb World Cup win against Argentina

Courtney Lawes is in good spirits as he prepares to lead England in their World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday night (Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Captaining England in World Cup opener 'a big honour' for Saints star Lawes

Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell starts for England against Argentina on Saturday night (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints pair named in England team for World Cup opener against Argentina

Courtney Lawes (photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Lawes to hit England century as Saints star is named skipper for Fiji clash

James Ramm was breakthrough player and players' player of the season at Saints for 2022/23 (picture: Tom Kwah/Northampton Saints)

'You never want to be stagnant' - humble Ramm ready to kick on at Saints

Courtney Lawes (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints star Lawes starts as England take on Wales at Twickenham

Tom Pearson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints star Pearson to stay with England despite missing out on World Cup squad