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Frontrow pairing commit future to Saints

Paul Hill

Northampton Saints have confirmed that front-row duo Paul Hill and Reece Marshall have put pen to paper on contract extensions with the Club.

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The pair have notched up 117 appearances in Black, Green and Gold between them, and are both enjoying an excellent 2018/19 season so far having featured regularly for Chris Boyd’s side.

Tighthead prop Hill has already experienced rugby at the very highest level at just 23 years old, having earned five England caps to date. Hill has signed despite the arrival next season of All Blacks tighthead Owen Franks.

Arriving at Franklin’s Gardens from Yorkshire Carnegie in 2015, Hill had already represented his country at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-20 level – claiming the Junior World Championship title with the latter in 2014.

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But after making his Premiership debut in his first full season as a Saint, the abrasive ball-carrier was called into Eddie Jones’ England squad for the 2016 Six Nations and also toured Australia with the Red Rose that summer.

And Hill is relishing the prospect of pushing on towards becoming a Northampton centurion, with 78 senior appearances to his name to date.

“I’m really happy to have signed a new contract with Saints,” said Hill. “I’m as determined as ever to work hard, keep on improving, and to play as regularly as I can.

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“We have plenty of competition to play throughout the squad and the front row is no different; everyone is trying to get better every day and I’m positive this is the best possible environment for me to grow as a player.”

Meanwhile 24-year-old hooker Marshall initially joined the Club in 2013 after progressing through the Saints Academy and marked his Premiership debut during the 2017/18 campaign with a try against Saracens.

Reece Marshall

He has scored three tries in 14 appearances so far this term in all competitions, and is hoping to continue his progress in Black, Green and Gold.

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“I’m absolutely delighted to be staying here for at least the next two years,” said Marshall. “I had a tricky start to this season with injury but it’s been amazing to come back from that with the help of everyone at Saints, get opportunities to play and be a part of all the progress we are making here on the field.

“The staff at the club are top class, while the whole squad is really starting to gel now and show the potential we clearly have here.

“The prospect of being involved in that over the next couple of years is really exciting and I can’t wait to grow as a player and a person, while giving my all to the Club.”

Both Hill and Marshall were selected by Chris Boyd to start last weekend’s 27-26 triumph over Bath Rugby, and Saints’ director of rugby has been impressed with their progress so far this season.

“Paul and Reece have both really bought into what we’re trying to achieve on the field,” said Boyd.

“They are two very impressive young men; they have an excellent attitude, are always looking to improve and want to fight for their place in the side.

“It’s really important to keep good young guys like this around the environment, so I’m delighted they are staying on at Saints.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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