EAST MIDLANDS DERBY SEMI-FINAL! | Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers | ft Tom Vickers | The Rugby Paper Roundup

About this episode

The episode previews the Gallagher Premiership semi-final between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers, featuring insights from rugby writer Tom Vickers.

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Northampton Chronicle rugby writer Tom Vickers to preview a mouthwatering Gallagher Premiership semi-final weekend. Friday night sees one of English rugby’s fiercest rivalries take centre stage as Northampton Saints host Leicester Tigers at Franklin’s Gardens with a place in the Premiership final on the line. We revisit the iconic 2014 semi-final between the sides, discuss whether this remains the biggest rivalry in the Premiership, and examine why history suggests the winner could go all the way and lift the trophy. With Saints having topped the table and successfully navigated a season of rotation, injuries and international call-ups, we assess the outstanding job Phil Dowson has done, the impact of Anthony Belleau, and how Northampton have maintained their consistency despite spending periods without Fin Smith. We also discuss: • George Furbank’s impending departure and the motivation it brings• Why Saints have flourished despite heavy squad rotation• Leicester Tigers’ remarkable rise under Geoff Parling• The clash of styles between Northampton’s attack and Leicester’s set-piece power•…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Jaycock

Guest: Tom Vickers

Topics covered

• Northampton Saints
• Leicester Tigers
• Gallagher Premiership
• rugby rivalry
• semi-final preview
• team analysis

Keywords

• Northampton Saints
• Leicester Tigers
• Gallagher Premiership
• rugby
• semi-final
• Phil Dowson
• George Furbank
• Franklin’s Gardens

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Northampton Chronicle, Gallagher Premiership, Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Bath, Exeter Chiefs

Places: Franklin’s Gardens, The Recreation Ground

More episodes of The Rugby Paper Podcast

• PLAY-OFF CHAOS! | Exeter v Saracens Prem Shootout + URC Semi-Finals | The Rugby Paper Roundup · June 4, 2026 · 39 min
• WHY ARE FRANCE DOMINATING EUROPE? | Top 14 Boom + Rugby Overtaking Football | Rugby Paper Roundup · May 28, 2026 · 33 min
• Women's Six Nations Grand Slam Drama + Lions Excitement | ft Ruck Star Lizzie | The Rugby Paper Roundup · May 20, 2026 · 28 min
• Inside Rugby Journalism with Ben Jaycock | Starstruck Interviews, Bias & Big Matches · May 15, 2026 · 34 min
• GRAND SLAM DECIDER! | England v France + Historic Aviva Clash in Six Nations | Rugby Paper Roundup · May 14, 2026 · 44 min
• Is England’s Dominance Hurting the Women’s Six Nations? Rugby Paper Roundup ft Fi Tomas · May 6, 2026 · 37 min