CRACKED THE CODE

Radford has enjoyed dream switch to Union and claims Northampton's Premiership title success feels bigger than Challenge Cup glory with Hull FC

- DAVE CRAVEN

CROSS-CODER Lee Radford reckons Northampton's Premiership success felt even bigger than Challenge Cup glory for Hull FC.

In his debut season as defence coach, he helped Saints lift the league title for the first time in a decade.

Just 15 months after being sacked as Castleford boss, Radford has enjoyed a dream switch to rugby union.

After transforming them into one of the toughest sides around, Northampton finished top and then beat Bath 25-21 in Saturday's Twickenham showpiece. Radford famously led Hull to their first Wembley win in 2016 and retained the Challenge Cup 12 months later (below).

He said: "This was very similar to that Challenge Cup experience but just felt a little bigger.

"There were 81,000 there and it was incredible.