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Saints sign two ex-England age-grade players, including 128kg prop
Northampton have confirmed the signing of English duo Aaron Hinkley and Alfie Petch from Exeter Chiefs. A club statement read: “The pair, both former England U20s and U18s internationals, have put pen to paper on contracts to join the men in Black, Green and Gold ahead of the 2022/23 season.
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“Hinkley, 23, has caught the eye during a trial period in Northampton, pulling on the jersey twice in the Gallagher Premiership so far against Harlequins and Saracens. The highly-rated flanker began his career in Gloucester’s academy set-up in 2017 before moving to Exeter Chiefs three years later.
“Hinkley found first-team opportunities limited at both clubs but produced several scintillating performances at age-group level for England, scoring a memorable try at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the U20s against Scotland.
“Petch, a 22-year-old tighthead prop, initially joined Exeter’s academy at the age of 14 before progressing into the club’s U18s line-up. The 128kg forward made his first-team debut during the 2018/19 season while featuring for England U20s in both the Six Nations and World Championships in Argentina in the same campaign. Petch has gained senior experience with Cornish Pirates, playing 23 times in the Championship this season.”
Having seen Hinkley thrive in recent weeks after being unexpectedly thrust into Premiership action, incoming director of rugby Phil Dowson is now confident Hinkley has the tenacity to perform at the very highest level for Saints. “Aaron’s been really impressive ever since he arrived here on a trial,” he said.
“He has a high-energy, aggressive player who is really good over the ball as we have seen in the matches he has played so far. One of his big points of difference is his speed, and the edge he brings when he plays. We wanted to get him inside our environment on trial first to see what he is about and how he could fit into our group, and he has worked hard throughout his time with us.
“He was one of the standout performers in (head of academy) Mark Hopley’s England U20s squad back in 2019. Mark has been so complimentary about the amount of effort Aaron puts into every session he is involved in.
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“It speaks volumes about his character that after such a long time away from playing any competitive rugby, he was able to come into the side in a crucial Premiership match and play at an outstanding level, so we think the ceiling is high for him and we’re excited to sign him up on a long-term deal.”
Hinkley said: “I’m buzzing to sign on at Saints long-term having been at the club for a few months now. It’s been a fantastic environment to come into, and I’m really enjoying playing at Franklin’s Gardens under this coaching group.”
On Petch, the other Northampton signing from Exeter, Dowson added: “The Championship is a fantastic breeding ground for young props and Alfie impressed us with his natural strength, power and scrummaging ability. He has got skill around the park too, so he is not a one-trick pony, but first and foremost he loves scrummaging and wants to better himself to see how far he can go, which is music to (scrum coach) Matt Ferguson’s ears.
“Alfie has spent all his life in the West Country, so he is excited to move up to Northampton for a fresh start. He loved playing week-in, week-out for Cornish Pirates and that desire to get on the pitch and build his experience was just what we were looking for.”
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“I’m really excited about a new challenge in Northampton and getting stuck in with all the boys there,” added Petch. “It’s a young squad of talented players up at Saints, with an impressive coaching group too.
“I’m also very grateful to Alan Paver at Cornish Pirates for helping me so much this season. I really believe Northampton will be consistent Premiership contenders in the years ahead, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments