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Northampton sign unheralded new No9 following loss of fan favourite Cobus Reinach

By Online Editors
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints have signed scrum-half Tom James from Doncaster Knights ahead of the 2020/21 season. The 6ft tall No9 will make the step up to the Gallagher Premiership for the first time in his career, having enjoyed spells with the Knights and Bedford Blues in the Championship, as well as Loughborough Students in National One.

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His exploits for the university outfit saw him called up for England Students back in 2016 and he has established himself as Doncaster’s first-choice scrum-half since his arrival at Castle Park James – finishing the 2018/19 season as Knights’ top-scorer and adding eight tries in 18 appearances to his tally this season.

The 26-year-old admits he cannot wait to test himself at the top table of English rugby when he arrives at Franklin’s Gardens this summer following the departure of fan favourite Cobus Reinach, the South African World Cup winner who is set to join Montpellier.

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“The decision to take this opportunity with Northampton Saints and join a club at the very top level was a no-brainer for me,” he said.

“There’s a great set-up at Franklin’s Gardens; the training facilities are excellent and the stadium is one of the best in the country. But most importantly, Saints are a club with huge ambition and a really impressive group of coaches, so I’m confident it is the best place for me to improve as a rugby player.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Chris Boyd, Sam Vesty and the entire group having seen so many young players break through over the last 18 months.”

Saints director of Rugby Chris Boyd added: “Tom has done really well over at Doncaster. He was spotted by some of our coaches working in that space, and also played alongside our academy coach Jake Sharp at Bedford – it was clear to us that he had really good core skills, works hard and comes from a good background.

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“He just needs an opportunity to flourish and we think he’ll really compliment the guys we’ve already got for next year in Alex Mitchell, Henry Taylor and Connor Tupai. They’ve got their subtle differences but they are all young, high potential, and English, which fits our model perfectly.”

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Trevor 2 hours 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 6 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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