Patron Saint of defending

RADFORD GIVES LAWES EXTRA BACKBONE

- ADAM HATHAWAY

PHIL DOWSON watched his Northampton side get a monkey off their back - and handed the credit to defence coach Lee Radford.

Courtney Lawes manned the barricades on the pitch as Saints avenged last year's play-off loss here and handed Saracens only their 13th league defeat in 11 years at this stadium.

Former Hull and England rugby league star Radford arrived in the summer and has added backbone to Saints' defence.

And they needed it against the champions, who pummelled Northampton for long periods.

Dowson (right) said: "Lee coming in and putting his mark on it the lads have really brought into what he is bringing to the table. He has been brilliant and today was evidence of it.