Allan Lamb is helping Dave Ribbans bid for a Twickenham farewell from Saints
Allan Lamb, the former England and Northamptonshire cricket star, is helping Northampton lock Dave Ribbans’ bid to take Northampton into the Premiership final by defeating Saracens at the StoneX stadium on Saturday.
Lamb has been a mentor for South Africans coming to play in the Premiership, particularly those joining Northampton Saints including Ribbans who was born in Somerset West in Cape Province.
The former England batsman is a regular at Franklin’s Gardens and the 68-year-old told BBC Look East: “I love going to the Saints, I love rugby. I remember being asked by some members of the club to support the South African players when they first signed and so I got them over for a barbeque or braai.
“In terms of mentoring, I am just there for them. As time has gone on, it’s just become a regular thing. I’ve become a little bit of a father figure, I’ve stepped in to help whenever they need anything. I always give them advice if they want it.
“It’s just been an ongoing thing. I heard David was coming over – and they said he’s a great guy – and I’ve introduced him to loads of friends in Northampton, which is great for him.”
Ribbans arrived at Saints in 2017 and this could be his last game for the club if they fail to make the final as he has signed for Toulon, another club with strong South African links.
Ribbans, who has been capped by England but cannot be picked unless deemed a special case as he will be playing in France said: “Through the years, there’s been some ups and downs in my career, especially sometimes with England. There were times when I probably stopped believing in the national set-up and that [playing international rugby] was something I really wanted to achieve.
“I spoke to Jack Willis a lot, with Toulouse, he filled me with so much confidence about loving the French lifestyle, every game is a Test match. It’s nothing against the Premiership but I can’t wait to experience something new.
“In terms of England, I’ve made peace with that decision. It was obviously tough. Let’s see if things change but I have to live with that. I will go and play in a league full of stars.
“If we re-watch the Leicester semi-final last year it was a case of missed opportunities. We don’t mind being in that situation where no-one gives us a chance. Saracens being where they are (finishing top), everyone expects them to steamroll us. We know we have to be clinical, against a team like Saracens, you have to take your chances. All of us want to end on a high, there’s real added motivation. I feel something special could happen.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments