Northampton Saints 59 Newcastle Red Bulls 26: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Because that probably echoed the feelings of both Saints and Newcastle Red Bulls before and after the Gallagher PREM opener.

For Saints, there is a strong desire to show everyone that they can still get even better after lifting the league trophy last season.

They want to do it all again, to become the first team to go back-to-back in England’s top flight since Saracens in 2019.

As for Newcastle, they are very much in the infancy of their Red Bull journey following the big takeover at Kingston Park.

The building blocks have been put in place and now it’s about seeing how far their new-look squad can take them.

And while they will be pleased with aspects of their performance at the Gardens, where they secured a try bonus point late on, they will expect to get better and better as the weeks and months wear on.

Maybe both of these clubs can exceed even the loftiest of expectations.

Time will tell on that one, and injuries probably will, too - as every PREM squad feels the pinch of having key men on the sidelines at various points in a campaign.

However, with Newcastle’s heavy investment and Saints’ incredible ability to get Academy products to make a quick step up - see 19-year-old full-back James Pater’s hat-trick in this match - there will be confidence that these clubs can go the course.

For Phil Dowson’s men, who were besieged by costly absences throughout their previous title defence in 2024/25, it was crucial to navigate this fixture in the best and healthiest possible manner.

To build early-season momentum and avoid adding more names to a missing list that already included the likes of Trevor Davison, Tom Litchfield and Edoardo Todaro.

They did that, producing an attacking performance that was far more polished than should be expected at such an early stage of the season.

They were truly ruthless, scoring nine tries as they cut Red Bulls apart with some razor-sharp play.

And let’s not forget that at the other end of the pitch, they produced some key defensive stands to stop Newcastle in their bid to build belief.

It was job more than done in the end for a Saints side who showed a desperation to take another step forward rather than back this season.

But bigger tests will come, starting at the unhappy hunting ground of Ashton Gate on Saturday before a home game against typical title rivals Bath seven days later.

So when it comes to obstacles, perhaps we ain’t seen nothing yet.

How they rated…

JAMES PATER – CHRON STAR MAN – just 19 years old, making just his 12th Saints appearance and stepping into the shirt worn by club legend and last season’s captain, George Furbank. This young star went on to score a hat-trick and set up a couple more tries for good measure. In that context, he simply has to be star man here… 9.5

TOMMY FREEMAN – Tommy Three-man was at it again, adding yet another hat-trick to his incredible tally. He was a nuisance in the air for Newcastle, and needless to say he wasn’t bad on the ground either. Class… 9

RORY HUTCHINSON – watch this game back and you will truly appreciate this man’s performance. He knitted so much of Saints’ attacking play together with well-timed short passes that sucked Newcastle in and created space for others to score… 9

FRASER DINGWALL – must have helped himself to a Red Bull before this match as he was high-energy throughout, producing important contributions with and without the ball all night… 8.5

GEORGE HENDY – a joy to behold when he’s galloping towards the line, the wing simply has to be on the England radar as he continues to look like one of the most electric attackers in the Gallagher PREM… 9

FIN SMITH – if he can avoid injury, he looks primed for a huge season as he just keeps getting better and better. He looks even more physical this season, which is saying something as he was already at a very high level for a fly-half in that area. Has all the tools a world-class 10 needs… 9

ARCHIE MCPARLAND – watch the start of last season and the start of this to see just how far this young man has come. His decisions are now so sharp and he executes so well. Notched a 50:22 here and continually had Newcastle scrambling with quick tap penalties… 8.5

MANNY IYOGUN – it’s time to give the props their props. This man was a bulldozing presence throughout his time on the pitch as his physicality put Red Bulls on the back foot time and again… 9

CURTIS LANGDON – missed so much of last season due to injury and looks as hungry as ever to make up for lost time. Recently became a father and he asserted some authority on this match… 8

CLEOPAS KUNDIONA – what a performance from the Zimbabwe prop. He had been speaking last week about how comfortable he now feels at Saints as he gets stuck into his second season, and you could see that here. Stormed around the field, won a big breakdown penalty and impressed at scrum time… 9

ALEX COLES – the athlete was at it again, using his incredible engine to pop up on Dingwall’s shoulder to secure himself another score. One of the most prolific locks in the game… 8.5

ED PROWSE – just keeps going from strength to strength. Helped to bully Newcastle but also had the ability to use his ball-playing skills to confuse them as he continues to impress… 8.5

JOSH KEMENY – a gargantuan performance from the back row forward, with the highlight being his offload for one of Freeman’s tries. Was falling over but still managed to get the perfect pass to the wing and earlier in the game he had led the charge with a typically eye-catching break… 9

HENRY POLLOCK – new hair, same Henry Pollock. So hungry to impress, he held Newcastle up over his own line and led several charges into enemy territory… 9

CALLUM CHICK – another huge showing on a night full of them. His physicality was superb and he also showed his handling ability on several occasions against his former club… 9

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

ROBBIE SMITH (for Langdon 56) – Saints had some lineout struggles late in the game but Coles had gone off by then and his departure was key so you can’t blame the Scotland hooker, who was as tenacious as ever… 7

DANILO FISCHETTI (for Iyogun 56) – helped to win a scrum penalty for his side and also played a key role in a defensive stand that stopped Newcastle scoring… 7.5

ION NECULAI (for Kundiona 56) – a Gallagher PREM debut for the Italy tighthead prop, and he did nothing wrong after coming on… 7

TOM LOCKETT (for Coles 56) – made some strong carries as he showcased his power game to keep Saints moving forward… 7

ALEX MITCHELL (for McParland 56) – what a man to bring from the bench! He did what he does in attack while also making an eye-catching stop on Newcastle powerhouse Hoskins Sotutu… 7