Summary

  • Northampton Saints celebrated their first Premiership title since 2014 with a trophy parade through the town

  • Thousands of fans lined the streets

  • Celebrations started from Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens at 14:00 BST

  • The parade finished at the Guildhall in St Giles Square in the town

Live Reporting

Alice Cunningham, Harriet Heywood and James Burridge

  1. Farewell from us - and congratulations to Northampton Saints

    That's it for our live coverage of the celebratory parade - thank you for joining us, and congratulations to Northampton Saints on their victory!

    Alex Moon says goodbye to fansHarriet Heywood/BBC

    What a season it has been for Northampton Saints - one no one will forget anytime soon

    The players have departed on their open-top bus and the streets are now back to normal for a Sunday afternoon.

    The scenes following the Northampton Saints open-top bus paradeHarriet Heywood/BBC

  2. View from the open-top bus

    Watch: More video from the Northampton Saints bus parade

  3. Fans still chanting

    The team bus has driven off, the crowds are thinning out, but some fans don't want this moment of rugby history to end - they're still chanting.

    A young Saints fan with his own version of the Premiership trophyHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Fans are heading off after a memorable afternoon

  4. 'These fans are unbelievable, we wanted to do it for them'

    'These fans are unbelievable, we wanted to do it for them'

  5. Farewell boys, you've done Northampton proud

    The players are heading back onto the bus.

    What a weekend. What a season. What a club.

    The Saints players head back onto the busesHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Celebrations are slowly wrapping up in Northampton

    Saints players on the open-top buses at the end of the celebrationsHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Players wave farewell to the fans in the town centre

    Saints players on the buses heading out of the town centreHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Farewell boys

  6. Alex Moon is in demand

    Alex Moon meeting the fansHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Alex Moon enjoys a last chance to meet fans before he leaves the club

  7. A chance to meet your heroes

    The players are now out meeting fans in the crowd - signing autographs and taking photos.

    Fans are being given memories to last a lifetime.

    Courtney Lawes signs a fans rugby ballJames Burridge/BBC

    Young fans meeting one of their rugby heroes

  8. Tommy Freeman delights seven-year-old Finn

    Harriet Heywood
    BBC News, reporting in Northampton

    Finn, 7, met one of his Northampton heroes - winger Tommy Freeman.

    Finn's dad, Giles, said: "[Finn] has been really excited and we managed to get through the crowds so Tommy Freeman could sign our ball."

    Finn with his dad GilesHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Finn met some of the players

  9. Paul Hill: 'I call this my home now'

    Prop forward Paul Hill admitted feeling hungover after last night's celebrations.

    "We had a big do," he said.

    Hill, who is among those leaving the club, was in reflective mood about his time at the club

    "I have loved every second of being at Northampton," said the England international.

    "I have been here nine years. I call this my home now."

  10. Watch: The moment the trophy was lifted

    Watch: The moment the trophy was lifted

  11. Courtney Lawes: 'We can sail off into the sunset'

    Courtney Lawes described the last 24 hours as "very stressful", but said he was happy he was able to give back to the club.

    "I was pretty livid at how we played but we got the win, and sometimes you just have to find a way to win," he explained.

    "This season has been class, regardless of what happened yesterday. It would have left a sour taste in the mouth if we hadn't got that win as we were the best team.

    "We can sail off into the sunset," he said.

    Courtney Lawes on stage talking to Northampton Saints fansJames Burridge/BBC

  12. 'I'm not an emotional mother, but today got to me', says Saints legend's mum

    Val Lawes, mother of Courtney - another player who is leaving the club - described the win as "special".

    "The home fans are amazing, thank you all for coming. It's absolutely brilliant," she said.

    "It's even more special because it's the last one for so many of these role models, with Alex going and Courtney. What a way to end.

    "I'm not an emotional mother but today got to me, it really did."

    Val LawesRob Constantin/BBC

    Val Lawes' son Courtney Lawes will play in France next season

  13. Watch: 'They have just made Northampton so proud'

    'They have just made Northampton so proud'

  14. Alex Moon: 'This is everything I could have hoped it could be'

    Northampton Saints lock Alex Moon, who is leaving the Saints, said: "This is everything I could have hoped it could be.

    "As a follower of all sport, every sport, you dream of winning your league. This has been everything. It's been awesome."

  15. A moment to savour - the trophy is lifted!

    What a moment for town and club - it'll give you goosebumps!

    Northampton Saints players lift the Premiership trophy in front of fansJames Burridge/BBC

    The trophy is back in Northampton for the first time in 10 years

    Northampton Saints address the fansHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Saints players sing to the crowds

  16. 'We were emotionally drained'

    Harriet Heywood
    BBC News, reporting in Northampton

    Matthew Fell described Saturday's emotional rollercoaster of a final.

    "Credit to Bath, they didn't make it easy.

    "After the match we were emotionally drained. We had Bath fans coming over to us saying 'Cheer up lads, you won'.

    "But the Saints are great for this town. We're lucky to have them."

    Luke Doran and Matthew Fell wearing team blazers at the celebrationsHarriet Heywood/BBC

    Luke Doran (left) and Matthew Fell described Saturday's win as "emotionally draining"

  17. 'It's a fairytale' - Lewis Ludlam

    Lewis Ludlam, who will be leaving the team and heading over to France next season, is speaking about the historic win.

    "We've dreamt of this for a long time now... to finally get it across the line is a fairytale," he said.

    "We know we weren't playing the way we wanted to, we left a lot out of there, but this group has a lot of trust in what we're doing.

    "There is so much love in this group at the moment."

    Lewis LudlamPA Media

    Lewis Ludlam is leaving Northampton Saints

  18. Plenty more celebrations to come

    Now the Premiership-winning Saints have arrived at the Guildhall, we're expecting several interviews to take place.

    There will be some musical performances, as well as "other exciting activities", the club teased on Saturday.

    The players are also expected to mingle with the crowd.

  19. Watch: Parade buses arrive to jubilant crowd in town centre

    Parade buses arrive to jubilant crowd in town centre

  20. Team welcomed on stage at the Guildhall

    The team is on stage and has been presented to the vast crowd at the Guildhall.

    Interviews with individual players are expected to take place soon.