'It has not been good for rugby to see Sarries' players jeered at away grounds this season'

Northampton chief executive has called Mark Darbon has called on Saints fans to be respectful on Saturday of the visiting Saracens players. 

The London club have become the Gallagher Premiership’s pantomime villains this season due to the salary cap controversy that last month resulted in their automatic relegation from the top flight for next season.

Amid the fallout of the accounting debacle, they have not been warmly received on their travels around England. 

However, Northampton’s boss wants Saints fans to treat Saracens with respect when the reigning Premiership champions visit Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon.  

Writing in the match programme for the round twelve fixture in the East Midlands, Darbon said: “Saracens still have many dangerous players running out this afternoon at the Gardens, who deserve our respect as professional athletes. 

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“Regardless of where you stand on the salary cap issue, the league will certainly be weaker without them next year – it will be a great shame to potentially not see the likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, and the Vunipola brothers in the Premiership. 

“It has not been good for rugby to see Sarries’ players jeered at away grounds this season; I would expect a different standard from the Gardens faithful so please be respectful of our opponents today.”

The chief executive went on to explain that Saints-Saracens fixtures were usually a highlight of the Northampton calendar.

“Our matches against Saracens are always incredibly popular fixtures, but it’s great to see an almost sold-out Franklin’s Gardens for today’s game – hopefully we can evoke the spirit of last season’s sold-out Premiership Rugby Cup final win! 

“Sarries were also the visitors that day of course, and it was certainly one of the best days I have encountered while working at the club. 

“Speaking to the players and coaches, it always gives everyone in the squad a massive lift to see the stands packed to the rafters, and to hear the unique roar that only a full Franklin’s Gardens produces.

“Despite the fact that they have already been relegated this season due to their breaches of the salary cap, this is going to be a really tough game against the reigning Premiership and European champions. 

“Chris Boyd would be the first to admit that we have not been at our best in recent weeks, and if anything, the fact that they’re already preparing for a season in the Championship means that Saracens can play with no fear.”

Northampton sit in fourth spot in the Gallagher Premiership table heading into the Saturday afternoon fixture, nine points behind leaders Exeter Chiefs. In contrast, the relegated Saracens have a -72 points total despite winning seven of their eleven matches so far this term.  

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