Saints legend hopes team will help him retire on a high

David 'Piggy' Powell has been at Northampton Saints for half a century - a former player, former coach and since the late 80s, groundsman.

His association is such that the stadium, known as Franklin's Gardens to most, has the unofficial name of Piggy's patch. But now he's preparing to retire at the end of the season.

In the sixties and seventies Piggy made 370 first team appearances for Northampton.

He also won 11 England caps and a place in the '66 Lions tour.

As groundsman he has a national reputation for his expertise on grass pitches and Franklin's Gardens recognized as one of the best in rugby union.

But it wasn't always that way.

The contribution he makes to the club doesn't go unnoticed at the top.

This season that success is being felt all around the club - Northampton finishing top of the league, securing a home tie against Saracens in tomorrow's semi-final play-off, Piggy hopes his team will help him retire on a high.