Northampton Saints v Gloucester: Five takeaways as Henry Pollock 'taken out of the firing line' to allow recalled England powerhouse to shine

Following a 28-14 victory for Northampton Saints over Gloucester, here are our five takeaways from the Gallagher PREM encounter at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

The top line

Northampton and Gloucester both moved into the international break in the top-four, but it is the Saints who will enter this period much the happier after producing an excellent performance following the visitors’ fast start.

The Cherry and Whites were much the better team early on, going 14-0 in front thanks to tries from Max Llewellyn and Will Joseph, but the hosts edged themselves back into the contest in a fashion which was quite unlike the Saints.

Usually renowned for their free-flowing style, the East Midlands outfit managed to get on top up front and battered their way through the heart of Gloucester. Their forward excellence enabled them to level the scores at the break via Tom Pearson and Curtis Langdon before they controlled the second period.

It took them a while to get the scores their dominance deserved but quick-fire efforts from George Hendy and Rory Hutchinson sealed the bonus-point win and took them into third, just behind Saturday’s opponents.

England worries

Northampton and England were already without Fin Smith and it looks like he will be joined on the sidelines by his half-back partner Alex Mitchell, who limped off in the first period with a hamstring injury. They would have very much been favourites to start together against the Wallabies next weekend, which means Jack van Poortvliet and either Marcus Smith or George Ford will be in the hotseat at the start of the Nations Championship.

Despite Van Poortvliet taking the reins for the July Tests, Mitchell remains the best scrum-half in the country and it will be a big blow should the 29-year-old be unavailable for the Australia. What will make it more concerning for the Red Rose is that his understudy, Archie McParland, was absent from this encounter through injury.

Some in Northampton would say that he has been playing even better than Mitchell. He is very much in the mould of the elder statesman with his ability to raise the tempo and snipe around the fringes but he picked up an issue during the week. However, the Saints could also call on another fine young scrum-half in Jonny Weimann, who was outstanding when the starting nine exited the game.

England delight

While the Mitchell news will dominate matters, there was plenty to like about some of the prospective England players. Charlie Atkinson was the beneficiary of Smith’s injury and he showed a number of classy touches, continuing his fine form at the start of this season.

Outside of him at 12 was Seb Atkinson, who wasn’t actually named in the 36-man training squad due to a minor injury but will surely be involved when the updated group is revealed ahead of the Wallabies Test. He was a physical presence on both sides of the ball and his pass for Joseph’s try was delightful.

The finish from Joseph was just as sublime as he wriggled his way through a couple of defenders to touch down. The way he contorted his body was akin to his older brother, Joseph, who had an exceptional Test career, and it will not be surprised if Will follows suit.

As for the Saints, Pearson, who has been recalled to the England squad, and Alex Coles were among their standouts up front, while Tommy Freeman had some excellent surges at outside centre, but Steve Borthwick will simply be pleased that mostly everyone appeared to get through the clash unscathed.

Where they stand

The consensus from observes would be that Gloucester have had an excellent start to the season and the defending champions have endured a mixed opening to the campaign but, ahead of the international break, their respective records both read three wins and two defeats with them both on 16 points.

Gloucester remain in front due to points difference but Northampton showed that, while Phil Dowson’s men are perhaps not quite at their best at the moment, they can still raised their game when it matters, ride the momentum and eke out big victories.

It is a skill the Cherry and Whites have yet to truly master after failing to take advantage of good starts against Leicester Tigers and Northampton to succumb to the East Midlands duo. It is certainly no disgrace to lose to those sides, but on both occasions, the Tigers and Saints turned the screw and they did not have a response.

Taken out of the firing line

It got to the hour mark and we wondered where Henry Pollock was. However, after last weekend’s antics, perhaps Dowson thought it was best to take him out of the spotlight. It helped that the player he eventually replaced, Pearson, was having a mightily fine game with his sheer physicality helping them to win the gain line battle in the second period, deservedly earning him the player of the match award.

When Pollock did finally enter the fray on 67 minutes, the 21-year-old was on his best behaviour as he stayed away from the type shenanigans we saw at Welford Road. There was the odd spark, including a try-saving hit – albeit it came after he had missed the initial tackle – and a weaving run with the clock in the red, but it felt like a case of the Saints of trying to take him out of the headlines, for this week at least.

It does raise the question of what Borthwick does next week, though. In truth, he hasn’t had the best start to the season and the England boss will want to avoid the type of Welford Road mischief which could provide added motivation to the Aussies, just as it did Leicester. Pollock should still be in the 23, but his Test chances haven’t been helped over recent weeks.