Summary

  • Northampton Saints secured the Prem title with a 26-17 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday

  • Thousands of jubilant fans gathered outside the Guildhall in the town centre to welcome the players and the trophy

  • An open-top bus carried the squad and coaching team there from Franklin's Gardens, setting off at 14:00 BST

  • The club had invited supporters to "line the streets" and create "a sea of black, green and gold" to celebrate

  • The parade headed along Weedon Road, St James Road, Mare Fair and Gold Street before looping around All Saints Church, arriving at a stage outside Guildhall at about 14:30

  • Music and interviews were hosted on stage by stadium announcer Pete Nuttall

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Live Reporting

Written by Aimee Dexter and Carroll Weston.

  1. Fans get into the party spirit

    We're just minutes away from the open-top bus parade leaving Franklin's Gardens.

    After winding its way through Northampton, the players will be met by hundreds of people outside the Guildhall at about 14:30.

    And judging by the atmosphere there already, they're in for an enthusiastic welcome!

    Four men are standing on a stage and are all playing different instruments, including drums and a saxophone. They are all wearing navy trousers and a white T-shirt and are standing in front of a sign which is green.Carroll Weston/BBC
    People are standing on a stage playing instruments on the left. To the right is a crowd of people who are watching the performers and who are standing behind a silver barrier.James Burridge/BBC
    Hundreds of people are gathering in a town centre and are standing behind a metal fence. Most of them are wearing Northampton Saints rugby shirts.Carroll Weston/BBC

  2. The first time was so nice...

    It's been a special time to be a Saints fan.

    After years of near misses, the Green, Black and Gold became English champions for the first time in their history in 2014.

    Then under the stewardship of Jim Mallinder, Saints beat Saracens in extra-time to take their first title.

    It would be 10 years until their second, won against Bath on 8 June 2024.

    Northampton Saints lift Premiership title in 2024Getty Images

    A third chance to lift the trophy has come around in a fraction of the time.

    Now the question will be whether Saints can retain their crown in 2026-27...

  3. Oh, when the Saints...

    A brass band is getting Saints fans going with a very fitting tune.

  4. Follow the parade on BBC Sounds

    BBC Sounds

    The BBC Radio Northampton team is following today's parade.

    Justin Dealey is bringing you all the build-up, before our team of reporters, including Graham McKechnie, line the streets for the procession.

    Click here to listen live.

  5. Crowds gather in Northampton town centre

    The parade is due to finish at the Guildhall at about 14:30. Plenty of fans have already secured a spot near the stage.

    And it sounds like they're in good spirits, warming up their voices with a bit of singing!

  6. Furbank's fairytale ending

    It was the perfect way for George Furbank to end his Saints career.

    The 29-year-old full-back led the side for the final time in Saturday's win over Exeter after failing to agree a new deal.

    The England international will join Harlequins this summer, but said there are no hard feelings despite the "tough conversations" around the contract stand-off.

    Ahead of the final, Furbank, who joined the club's academy in 2015 and made his full debut two years later, said his time at Franklin's Gardens has been memorable.

    It's hard to disagree...

    Northampton Saints players celebrate a try at Franklin's GardensPA Media

    Furbank (right) signed off his Saints career in style

  7. What happened in the final?

    Saints plays celebrate with a large trophyGetty Images

    Saints made a strong start on Saturday when Tommy Freeman capitalised on an Exeter error to score inside two minutes.

    Fin Smith added a second first-half try to help his side into a narrow lead before the interval.

    Although Exeter briefly moved ahead in the second half, Northampton regained control when George Hendy scoured two tries in the space of three minutes.

    The team had been led by captain George Furbank who is departing the club after 11 years.

    Read the full match report here

  8. Where to see the Saints

    A green map shows the bus route in yellow, starting at the stadium and travelling along weedon road, St James Road, Mare Fair and Gold Street before arriving at the GuildhallNorthampton Saints

    The open-top bus carrying the squad and coaching staff is due to leave Franklin’s Gardens at 14:00 BST.

    From there, the route heads along Weedon Road, St James Road, Mare Fair and Gold Street.

    A loop around All Saints Church will follow before the parade finishes at the Guildhall, where there will be a stage, at about 14:30.

    With the exception of the church loop, the route is similar to the celebratory parade after their win in 2024.

    Music and interviews will be hosted on stage by stadium announcer Pete Nuttall.

  9. Champions... again!

    Welcome to our live coverage as Northampton Saints celebrate winning the Prem title with a parade through the streets of the town from 14:00 BST.

    The Green, Black and Gold beat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 at Twickenham on Saturday to clinch their third English title - and a second in three years.

    The club has invited supporters to "line the streets along the way to create a sea of black, green and gold and celebrate with the team".

    We'll be speaking to fans and getting reaction from players along their route to Northampton's Guildhall.