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London Irish signing casts further doubt on Anthony Watson move
By Ian Cameron
London Irish has secured the signing of Tom Collins from Northampton Saints for the upcoming 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.
The move casts further doubt on the possibility of the London club signing England star Anthony Watson from Leicester Tigers. Irish - who are set to lose England rookie Ollie Hassell-Collins to Tigers - had been linked with signing the British & Irish Lions star in recent weeks, but Kidney has already implied Watson might come with too big a price tag.
The signing of Collins certainly doesn't help matters for Watson.
Collins, who has been a regular with Saints' first team for the past decade, will be leaving his hometown club to join London Irish this offseason. The Englishman has played 144 games for Northampton, scoring 48 tries for a total of 240 points during his time at Franklin's Gardens.
A product of the Northampton Academy system, Collins was also a former England age-grade representative and part of the 2013 U20 Six Nations winning side. His breakout season came in 2014 and saw him named Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year.
"I’ll always be grateful to Northampton, it’s the Club I have grown up supporting and was lucky enough to play for, but I felt my time was coming to an end and a new opportunity was on the horizon," Collins said. "Irish reached out and I was really encouraged by the project the club is working under with Declan [Kidney] and Les [Kiss] , I feel like it will be a great fit for me.
"I’m proud to now call myself an Exile and can’t wait to link up with the boys at Hazelwood."
London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney was pleased to have signed the 28-year-old try-scorer. "I’d like to welcome Tom to London Irish, he has shown in his time with Northampton what a capable player he is and having him as our player now is a great privilege.
"We are really excited to be welcoming in a player of Tom’s calibre and we are all confident he will become a valuable member of our squad at Irish."
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Latest Comments
Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.
Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.
As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.
Go to commentsGood grief
Beauden was his usual industrious self mixing deft touches with mindless kicks
6 or 7 max!!
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