Saints 'have all the ingredients' for another successful season, says Pearson

And thankfully for Tom Pearson, last season had a far happier conclusion than the previous campaign.

In 2025, Saints, shorn of injured Pearson’s services, were beaten in the Investec Champions Cup final by Union Bordeaux Bègles.

It was a scene of desolation at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as Saints were left to reflect on a journey that had seen them come so far with no silverware to show for it.

But a year later, they refused to endure similar torment, seeing off Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher PREM showpiece to claim title glory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

And Pearson, who had enjoyed a stellar season, was at the heart of it, starting in the final, just as he had in the semi-final against Leicester Tigers on the previous weekend.

Now, as he prepares to try to do it all again, the talented 26-year-old reflects on what it meant to make sure last season finished with celebration rather than sorrow.

"I loved it,” Pearson said. “I couldn't have asked for a better end really.

"I was happy with how I was playing, we had some great games here and winning the final as well.

"I couldn’t have asked for a better end to the season.

"It was really disappointing the year before. To get that far and lose in that way was disappointing, especially after the excitement of the semi-final.

"But I think we learned a lot of lessons from that day in Cardiff that definitely helped us and gave guys experience going into last season.

"It was great to finish that season on a high.”

So does losing a final break a summer while winning one makes it?

"I'd say it changes probably the week after the final, letting your hair down and the celebrations extending into most of that week,” Pearson said.

"But after that, you've kind of got to switch on and make sure you're turning up to pre-season in some kind of nick ready to perform again.”

Having reached the PREM final, Saints have a shorter pre-season that the majority of clubs in England’s top division this year.

And they also had a week in Sri Lanka to fit in.

"It's a funny one because finishing quite late last season has meant we've got a bit of a shorter pre-season,” Pearson said.

"We had the Sri Lanka trip chucked in there as well, which has been new.

"We went away last year but that was only for a couple of days and we stayed in this country, in Hull.

"So to go all the way to Sri Lanka and play a match as well while we were there was different. We got a lot out of it, a lot of connection. It was great to get those new guys in and connected with the group - and it was fun as well.”

Pearson will look to get some much-needed game time in the PREM Rugby Cup clash with Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday (kick-off 4.45pm).

And when asked how many matches he feels he needs to get fully up to speed, he replied: “You need to be match fit as much as possible so there's a fine balance between playing too many before the start of the season or going in a bit undercooked.

"I'll hopefully have a couple of games before that first PREM game against Newcastle here just so I'm fit, firing and ready to go.”

Pearson has a new team-mate in the Saints back row this summer following the arrival of Ealing Trailfinders skipper Josh Taylor.

And Pearson said: “He's been brilliant.

"He's fitted in really well, he's added to our back row, which is pretty competitive already.

"I think he went really well against Saracens last weekend.

"He's a strong guy, physical and he's got a good skillset as well to back it up.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing a fair bit of him this season.”

And what would Pearson like to see from himself this season?

"I'm looking forward to going well here again,” he said.

"I felt like I was quite consistent with my performances last season so I'd love to back that up, which is something I felt I didn't do the last time we won the league.

"There haven't been many changes to this team so we've got all the ingredients to do it all again and we've got to be ambitious.”