Northampton make emergency double signing as injury cover

Northampton Saints have signed second-rows Will Spencer and Gavin Thornbury on short-term deals.

The pair have come in while the Gallagher Premiership champions are without Emeka Atuanya, who is recovering from and shoulder injury, and Tom Lockett, who is recovering from a pectoral injury. Fiji’s Temo Mayanavanua has also only just returned from their victorious Pacific Nations Cup campaign.

Spencer, who arrives from Pro D2’s Soyaux Angoulême, has plenty of experience in the Premiership having played for Bath, Worcester Warriors and Leicester Tigers.

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It was at Worcester that the 32-year-old played alongside Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson. He was also called into one of Eddie Jones’ England training camps during his time as a Warrior.

Thornbury, 30, will also provide plenty of experience for the Saints, arriving from Connacht who he has made 77 appearances for over the past seven years after arriving from Leinster.

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With the Englishman standing at 6’7” and the Irishman standing at 6’8”, they will provide plenty of weight to a Saints team that lost the opening game of their Premiership title defence against Bath.

“Will feels he still has a lot to offer the game,” said Dowson. “He’s got a lot of experience in the Premiership and he’s played a lot of games over his career – that knowledge is vital.”

“Something we’re always looking for in the second row is a real set-piece focus, and that’s something you get with Will. He’s a big man who’s happy to get involved across the park, and hit hard.

“Will wanted the chance to prove he’s still got something to offer the Premiership, and we always like players who are desperate for an opportunity to play and compete, so we’re delighted to have him on board.”

On Thornbury, he said: “Gavin comes to us on a short-term deal, and has already thrown himself into things here at Saints.

“He’s a great character and he’s ambitious. Gavin’s a big man and a set-piece orientated player, but he’s also mobile and hits hard in defence.”

“Gavin’s got a great knowledge of the game, he’s an experienced player and very highly thought of – you have to be to get close to that Ireland set-up as a lock.

“He has been unlucky with injuries over his career, but we felt we could give Gavin the space to contribute something while he’s here in Northampton, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”