Party atmosphere builds ahead of Saints paradepublished at 13:55 9 June
The latest scenes in Northampton town centre as the atmosphere builds ahead of Northampton Saints' open-top bus parade.
Crowds are gathering in Northampton town centre
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
Party atmosphere builds ahead of Saints paradepublished at 13:55 9 June
Media caption, Fans getting the best spots at the Guildhallpublished at 13:55 9 June
Saints fans have arrived nice and early at the Guildhall, which is where the parade will end at about 14:30 BST.
There's still time to get a good spot!
Image source, Harriet Heywood/BBCImage caption, Saints players are expected to give interviews at the Guildhall
French-bound forwards finish with final flourishpublished at 13:52 9 June
Club legends Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlum both head to France with a Premiership winner's medal in their pockets.
Ludlum, the club captain, will join Toulon next season, while Lawes, who captained the side in the final and is considered one of Saints' greatest ever players, heads to Brive.
Both had an emotional send off in the final league game of the season, but have now capped their last game with victory, with their families watching on.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Courtney Lawes is due to depart for French side Brive, bringing an end to his 17-year career with Saints
'It was exciting but really nerve racking'published at 13:48 9 June
Harriet Heywood
BBC News, in NorthamptonSeven-year-old Harrison felt the nerves too during Saturday's game.
"We had a long day watching it, we didn’t get home until after 10pm. It was exciting but really nerve racking."
His little brother Connor, 4, added he was most excited to see Alex Moon.
Image source, Harriet Heywood/BBCImage caption, Harrison and Connor are waiting to see Alex Coles during the parade
Fitting end for 2014 hero Wallerpublished at 13:44 9 June
Picking up the Premiership trophy for a second time is prop Alex Waller, who retires after this season along with his brother Ethan.
Alex Waller was the hero in 2014, scoring the winning try in extra-time in the 24-20 victory.
The 34-year-old from Kettering spent his whole career at the club and has made more than 350 appearances.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Alex Waller retires on a high with the Saints
More views of the Guildhall crowdspublished at 13:37 9 June
It's a beautiful sea of green, black and gold out there - complete with a Saints flag.
Image source, James Burridge/BBCImage caption, The parade is expected to kick off from 14:00 on Sunday
Image source, James Burridge/BBCImage caption, A flag has appeared on a building opposite the Guildhall
The streets of Northampton town centre are getting busypublished at 13:29 9 June
Fans are starting to line the roads before the parade kicks off at 14:00.
They're kitted out in their black, green and gold shirts.
Image source, Harriet Heywood/BBCImage caption, Fans are arriving early in Northampton ahead of the celebrations
Image source, Harriet Heywood/BBCImage caption, The parade is expected to reach the town centre by 14:30.
Table-topping Saints finish the season in stylepublished at 13:29 9 June
Northampton Saints had been leading the Premiership for most of the season and now have triumphed in the final. The side hit the top of the league in the last week of 2023 and have not moved since.
They were also the second-highest try scorers in the league and second-highest point scorers, as well as narrowly missing out on a spot in the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup, losing the semi-final against Leinster in Dublin.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saints' dream came true as they ended a ten-year wait for a Gallagher Premiership title
‘I sobbed like a baby’published at 13:16 9 June
Harriet Heywood
BBC News, in NorthamptonStephen Stevenson has attended today’s celebration with his family, who have all ensured they are wearing their Saints shirts.
“I was there when we won 10 years ago and watching them win again…I sobbed like a baby,” he said.
“It’s an amazing send off for [Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Moon], you can’t ask for better than that.
“Our 18-month-old has already started playing rugby!”
Image source, Harriet Heywood/BBCImage caption, Stephen Stevenson have arrived early in the town centre for the celebrations
A rollercoaster victorypublished at 13:11 9 June
Northampton Saints gave fans a nail biting and intense game on Saturday before claiming the Premiership title.
Despite Saints gradually dominating possession through the match, Bath held strong despite being a man down from 22 minutes when Beno Obano was given a red card.
In the second half the teams were neck and neck, both sitting at 18-18, before Bath slipped ahead with just 13 minutes left of play.
A successful try saw Saints push back ahead in the 74th minute and that ultimately secured the title win.
The full route for the open-top bus paradepublished at 13:06 9 June
This is the expected route and roads the parade will travel along once it has left Cinch Stadium at 14:00:
- Weedon Road
- St James Road
- Mare Fare
- Gold Street
- Mercers Row
- Wood Hill
- Parade arrives at the Guildhall in St Giles Square at 14:30
Image source, Northampton SaintsImage caption, The open-top bus, filled with players and coaching staff, will move through Northampton town centre
Saints triumph for second timepublished at 13:04 9 June
Although the club is no stranger to silverware, this is only the second time Northampton Saints have won the Premiership. The first came 10 years ago against Saracens.
The club also reached the final in 1999 and in 2013 losing out to their East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers on both occasions.
In comparison Tigers have won the title 11 times, Saracens six times, as have the side Saints beat in the final, Bath.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, The Saints previously won the title back in 2014
Welcome to our live bus parade coveragepublished at 12:58 9 June
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Northampton Saints’ open-top bus celebrations.
The club secured their first Premiership win in 10 years on Saturday, with a 25-21 win over Bath at Twickenham.
Staff and players will celebrate with an open-top bus tour starting from Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens at about 14:00 BST.
Our reporters are out in the town ready to bring you the celebratory action as it happens.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Northampton Saints have won the Premiership title for the first time in 10 years