Hopley backing youngsters to shine
The new academy director at Northampton, Mark Hopley is backing younger prospects over more establish talent to succeed at the club for now and in the years to come.
Northampton are widely respected across the country as having one of the best academies for rugby in England. Hopley was given the role of director after he was forced out of the sport at an early point in his career due to injury.
Northampton have been very quiet during the pre-season campaign and have not made any big and significant moves in terms of bring players to the club. Hopley says this is because the youths at the club are good enough to make it in the first team.
It's very encouraging to see a club in the Premiership that is going to give younger players a chance to impress over the course of the season. It also makes the future of the home nations look very safe for the next few seasons at least.
A refreshing move
This is very refreshing news for a number of reasons. Many clubs try to make up for inadequacy in their team by signing the best player they can and putting him on a long and lucrative contract.
Many clubs are scared of turning to their youth system because of the inexperience and physical weaknesses that younger players naturally have. However, these younger players will never be able to develop unless they are played in first teams.
Northampton are not a side full of youths. They have the right balance between established and experienced players who help the young guns as they come in to the first team to play Premiership rugby.
Hopley said: "If you look at any successful side it has a good core to it. Northampton is a fantastic rugby town and a great place to play. What we want is as many homegrown local talent in that first team as possible. You look at Courtney (Lawes) and Digger (Paul Diggin) who are the only players who have been through the academy in the first-team squad now."
The future is safe
For the future of any of the home nations to be safe then there has to be a regular supply of youths playing Premiership rugby. Northampton are responsible for a lot of these players but it shows that England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland all still have some good talent coming through the ranks.
Ultimately the youth players of the current generation are going to form the basis of national teams within the next four or five years. This is why it's so vital that they get plenty of experience now.
Hopley added: "That is massive for the fans. They love it and it is great for us as a club. We want to keep producing good young players who want to play for Northampton, are embedded in the culture and go on to better things. They have been working hard on their fitness and, hopefully, they can put that into practice tonight."
Betting advice
Northampton have a very solid home record and always play well in front of their home fans. That's because there is a much larger community spirit at the club than at other places. Never be afraid to back them when they play on their own ground, regardless of the opposition.
You won't be able to bet on Northampton winning the Premiership in the next three or four years but remember the fruits of their youth system always seem to pay off and it may not be long until the youngsters fuel a very strong title bid.
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