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Saints don't lose Wyk, Kitto returns for second stint with Warriors

By Online Editors
Van Wyk and Lawes stretching

Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors have both today confirmed signings ahead of the 2019/20 season.

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Francois van Wyk

Saints have confirmed that prop Francois van Wyk has signed a new contract with the Club to keep him at Franklin’s Gardens until 2021.

Since arriving in the East Midlands in the summer of 2017, the powerful South African-born loosehead has made 43 appearances in Black, Green and Gold in all competitions.

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Van Wyk has enhanced his first team credentials this term under Chris Boyd, getting a run of starts under his belt and scoring his first points for the Club with a try double against Bristol Bears in October.

The 27-year-old also claimed some silverware in his debut season as he played a prominent role in the Wanderers’ A League triumph, starting the final where Northampton beat Exeter Braves 31-21 in the final.

And with at least two more seasons as a Saint to look forward to, Van Wyk is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the Franklin’s Gardens faithful.

“I’m really happy to be staying on with Saints for another couple of years,” he said.

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“I feel very at home here at the Club, and the confidence that Chris Boyd and the other coaches have put in me this season have helped me to kick on.

“The players around me are helping me a lot and I just want to build on my performances this season and improve my consistency.

“I’m very excited for the challenge that lies ahead of us in the coming seasons and hopefully we can pick up some silverware for these great fans.”

Jono Kitto

Scrum-half Jono Kitto is set for a second stint with Warriors having signed a contract for next season.

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The former New Zealand Under-20s international had a short stint on loan at Sixways at the start of last season and will return on a permanent deal from New Zealand provincial side Northland.

“I am really excited to be heading back to play rugby in the Gallagher Premiership and in particular with the Worcester Warriors,” Kitto said.

“I really enjoyed my brief stint there in 2017 and met some good people that I am looking forward to working with again.

It has been good to be home the last year reconnecting with family and friends and I really enjoyed my time with Northland, but the opportunity to join Worcester was too good to miss.”

Kitto, 26, has previous Premiership experience with Leicester Tigers, from he played for Warriors on loan, and Harlequins.

Kitto is Warriors’ third new signing for next season following lock Graham Kitchener, who will rejoin from Leicester, and tighthead prop Conor Carey, who will move from Connacht.

Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons said: “ Jono is a quality, experienced scrumhalf, who has the distinct advantage of not only having played in the Premiership,but of having played for the Club.

“Everyone at the Club who worked with him sings his praises as both a player and a bloke so I have no doubt he will add huge value and we look forward to welcoming him back to Sixways.”

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Mzilikazi 8 minutes ago
How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change

Thanks, Nick, not only for this fine article, but for all the others during 6N 2024. I really enjoyed this 2024 tournament, and felt it was one of the best for many years. That final match in Lyons was really good. England were certainly unlucky when that speculative hack by Ramos lead to a French try. It could just so easily have landed in English hand.s, and they score at the other end. I did think though that the French played some great rugby, and some of their driving play in the forwards was just fearsome. I watched Meafou with interest, and he has a good start to his career. It is interesting to compare him with Will Skelton. Lot of similarities, though so far Meafou has not shown any offloading threat. All credit to Borthwick for being prepared to change, and what great result, even if that last game was lost at the death. I feel they are a real chance to cause the AB’s problems this winter/summer. Finally a comment on Ireland. I thought their last game was their worst, and they did not look like the world’s No 2 side at all. What really worries me is that the loss to England was, in my view, down to poor decision making by the coaching group, and ofc Andy Farrell wears that. It was a big mistake to move JGP away from scrum half. Murray should have been the one to go to the wing. And the “finishers” should have been on the field earlier. And this is the second time this has happened. The RWC Qf against the AB’s, and not getting Crowley onto the field was a huge mistake. Finally, finally, watching Italy play was a joy. How wonderful that they are no longer the punchbag of the 6 N.

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