Northampton Saints bolster squad for next season
Not by any stretch of the imagination has this season been a disappointing one for Northampton Saints. Regardless of what happens in the final weeks of the Guinness Premiership campaign, the club have enjoyed a memorable season in both domestic and European competition.
But despite this, there is an underlying feeling that the Saints could have achieved even more than their LV= Cup title this year – by progressing further in the Heineken Cup. Although they still remain in contention for the Premiership title, the club’s head coach, Jim Mallinder, has already begun planning for next season, and has added to his youthful squad with three more promising English players.
Mallinder has raided relegation-threatened Leeds Carnegie and sealed the services of winger Scott Armstrong, forward Calum Clark and fly-half Joe Ford for the 2010/11 campaign.
The likes of Chris Ashton, Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden have all flourished under Mallinder’s leadership, developing into some of the most talented individuals that the Premiership and English rugby has to offer; and the Saints’ boss will now integrate this next trio of skilful Englishmen into his squad for next season.
It’s a shrewd piece of business from the former England Saxons coach, who has acted fast to snap up the players on his shortlist at the best possible time. Mallinder continues to add to his growing reputation as a coach who not only has a knack of winning important matches, but also as a very astute man-manager with an eye for a good deal.
Tightening up the forward line is perhaps his primary task this summer. With the attacking talent at the Saints’ disposal, they have the ability to test the best defences in Europe, and proved that by picking up some impressive results in this season’s Heineken Cup. A brilliant win over Munster and a 34-0 demolition of Perpignan in the group stages sent out a clear warning to the rest of Europe that they weren’t in the competition to make up the numbers.
Reaching the quarter-finals was still a creditable achievement, and had they not faced Munster at Thomond Park, then they could easily have sealed their place in the last four. Despite leading at half-time in that match, the Saints eventually lost by a disappointing 33 points to 19.
The general consensus was that although Northampton were beaten by the better team, they had still allowed a decent opportunity to slip through their fingers.
Keen to avoid a similar scenario next season, Mallinder’s latest transfers have signalled his intention to bring more silverware to Franklin’s Gardens.
Clark, 20, specialises at open-side flanker but can also play across the back-row. Seen as one of the most promising players in the country, Leeds will have been devastated to see him leave Headingley.
Like Clark, the Saints’ latest signing, Armstrong, revealed that the club’s recent surge up the league table was a key factor in why he agreed to sign. The 23-year-old is a winger by trade, but is equally as adept at full-back. With Ashton in sparkling form, Armstrong will have the ideal teammate to learn from.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Ford will arrive at the club with some fierce competition for the No. 10 jersey. Shane Geraghty and Stephen Myler are both young fly-halfs themselves; but Mallinder’s new signing has recognised the fact that first-team places are there to be earned.
“I'm not underestimating how hard it will be to get in the team. I'm going to get my head down and hopefully get my chance in the big games," Ford commented.
It will be a similar case for all three of Northampton’s new arrivals.
Mallinder is confident that the trio will blend into the squad with ease and states that each of them will be handed their chance to shine.
"Having three players of this quality will only be good for the club as we look to remain competitive at the top end of the Guinness Premiership and in the Heineken Cup," the head coach said.
Given Mallinder’s track record at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton may well be the team to beat next season. Not only in the Premiership, but the Heineken Cup, too.
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