He looks like he’s having a kickabout with his mates

The huge lump missing at the moment is Taiqele Naiyaravoro. He will be back soon to inflict his usual physical pummelling, both on his flank but also running off scrum and lineout close to the forwards. But I am keener to explore the attack of the “little men” from 11 to 15 – and that clearly excludes Big T.

Northampton are not a big backline. Walk past them on the street, of course, and they are different to normal human beings but in among the giants of the rugby field they are not in any way large. But that has not limited them one jot. Their movement on and off the ball. Their footwork. Their sleight of hand. Exceptional. A constant moving target. Of course they understand that at times they must be direct and take you on physically – but that is only when needs must. Beyond that they want to find space, short pops, apex lines, arcs, drifting down wide passes, late changes of direction, and a real desire to go right to the line of the defence and then move the ball away.

To see Fraser Dingwall or Rory Hutchinson handle in traffic is to see young lads trusting their skill levels and support lines of those around them. Matt Proctor is the happiest of all the midfield options to run hard but even he wants to play with the ball in hand. Tommy Freeman is not small on the wing but he wants space. Very similar to Freddie Steward in terms of long-legged fluid running style. Runs cracking support lines as he did to waltz in under the sticks against Bristol blindsiding the legendary Charles Piutau. Freeman is very stylish indeed. Then George Furbank, who has been a grower on me. Improves with every game. Lean stature, socks down, looks like he is having a kickabout with his mates but if you get your shape wrong defensively or leave a gap on the inside he will rip you apart. Genuinely quick, a cracking arc runner, akin to a 200m runner, doesn’t lose pass running round corners. Huge regard for Furbank.

And don’t forget Ollie Sleightholme, who is yet to return – just another of the cracking squad I could have mentioned.

Northampton look a happy bunch, a really happy bunch. Razor Robertson of Crusaders fame told me “get the heart, get the player” – there is no doubt in my mind Boyd has achieved this at Northampton. Players happy in each other’s company, trusting each other on the field to play a high tempo, high reward strategy. Players happy to fulfil their roles within the team. To do the things they do best every Saturday, aware that they will get their chance to shine, they give themselves the best chance of winning. Being selfless can be fun – Northampton are showing that beautifully well.