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Northampton Saints bolster pack with double-signing

By Online Editors
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi is returning to Franklin's Gardens.

Northampton Saints have announced the double-signing of Shaun Adendorff and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi. Back-row Adendorff signs from French side Aurillac while loosehead prop Hobbs-Awoyemi rejoins the Sains after four seasons with London Irish.

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Adendorff previously had spells with the Vodacom Bulls and Currie Cup side Vodacom Blue Bulls before making the switch the France two years ago.

The 28-year-old was nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year in 2012 after his starring role for the South Africa Under-20s as they won a first Junior World Championship.

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“I’m really excited about a new challenge in England and to test myself at the very highest level of Northern Hemisphere rugby,” Adendorff said.

“It is an honour for me to sign for Northampton Saints; the club has great pedigree having enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and the team is playing really good rugby – so I hope to make a big impact and win some silverware at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Hobbs-Awoyemi, 26, came through Northampton’s Academy system and won back-to-back Junior World Championships with the England Under-20s in 2013 and 2014.

“I can’t wait to get started again at the club I supported as a boy and where it all began for me professionally.

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“I still have a lot of close friends at Saints, and everything I’ve heard from them about the club really excites me.

“The Club now is very different to the club I left in 2016, but I’m confident I can slot back in easily and hit the ground running.

“I’m looking forward to playing for Chris Boyd and the rest of the coaches within such a tight-knit playing group, but also relishing the prospect of getting back out in front of my home crowd – rugby supporters in Northampton are the best around and I’m excited to have them behind me again.”

Hobbs-Awoyemi is expected to report for training next week, while coronavirus restrictions mean that Adendorff will not arrive at Franklin’s Gardens until he can safely make the journey from France.

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Trevor 13 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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