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Northampton sign Karl Wilkins from Pro D2
By Sam Smith
Northampton have confirmed the signing of Ipswich-born flanker Karl Wilkins from Beziers. The 24-year-old has made over 50 appearances for the French Pro D2 side since arriving from Clermont in 2016. Experienced at lock as well as in the back row, Wilkins initially left for France aged 18.
Wilkins joined Montferrand from the Saints academy system where he was part of the Northampton squad that won the Premiership’s U18 Academy League in the 2013/14 season playing alongside the likes of Harry Mallinder, George Furbank, Lewis Ludlam, Rory Hutchinson and James Fish.
The 6ft 4in, 112kg forward will return to Franklin’s Gardens ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season, and Wilkins is relishing the prospect of linking up with old friends at his boyhood club.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be returning home and to get my opportunity with Northampton,” he said. “I grew up playing at Franklin’s Gardens, so I understand the culture and tradition of the club, the special atmosphere inside the stadium on a matchday and how important Saints are to the people of the town.
“It’s been fantastic to see some of the lads I played alongside in the academy take their opportunities and really kick on in recent years
"I hope when I return to the club, I can do the same and make more memories with them. The squad is already filled with talent and I can’t wait to arrive and try to develop further as a player under a really impressive group of coaches.”
Saints signed No8 Shaun Adendorff from Pro D2’s Aurillac last summer and director of rugby Chris Boyd is confident Wilkins could prove to be another hidden gem when given an opportunity in the top-flight of English rugby. He said: “Karl fits our recruitment model of young, high-potential and English perfectly.
“We want to continue to build a squad with a backbone of local players, and while Karl has taken the road less travelled to get here, he is desperate to pull on a Saints jersey again. He is someone who can play both lock and in the back row, so Karl’s a versatile player and a great fit for our pack. I’m looking forward to seeing how far he can go within our set-up here at Franklin’s Gardens.”
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Latest Comments
I wonder Jake, who do you think is the best fit for Australia as a coach? Not since Joe Schmidt took over as coach did Australia look any good, however, there is always this debate around not having an Aussie coach by the fans and so called pundits and old players.
Some of them are changing their minds now however, but I would love to see who you would choose. I think Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach, who puts in everything for the team he is coaching. To him, there is no such thing as being biased.
Go to commentsExcept for the 6N he has won nothing. No WC's, no Lions tours not anything. He is ranked even behind Eddie Jones, who has won a WC with SA and have a better victory rate than Gatland. Keep your so called "best coach" in the world. No one but Wales wants him. A very harsh Hell No comes to mind if anyone asks if they would want Gatland as head coach.
Guess the man is wearing blinders. Rob Howley is howling mad describing Gatland as the best. What a load of 💩
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