Northampton explain new deal for 'real scrum time handful' Iyogun

Phil Dowson has explained why Northampton were so keen to get Emmanuel Iyogun to sign an unspecified length, new long-term contract that will keep the 21-year-old prop at the club beyond the end of the 2022/23 season. The loosehead has made 25 appearances in the past three seasons, was named the club’s breakthrough player of the season in his debut 2019/20 campaign and finished last season starting versus Leicester in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals.

Iyogun came through the Northampton academy set-up, initially playing two years above his age group in the back row for Saints’ U18s side before earning his first professional contract and transitioning into the front row under the guidance of scrum coach Matt Ferguson.

“Without doubt, Manny is a now top-level loosehead,” enthused new Northampton boss Dowson about Iyogun. “He is an exceptional athlete and rugby player, who will continue to develop because he has the right mindset and is determined to get better.

“He drives himself and those around him in the loosehead group to improve, and it has been great to see him take on more of a leadership role within the front row.

“Manny is also a very, very coachable player – he is bright and works really hard. You can see that clearly; it’s easy to forget that only three years ago he transitioned into the front row, but already he is a real handful at scrum time, a brilliant ball carrier and a strong defender.

“His athleticism gets him into positions that are exceptional for a loosehead, and when you look at the best props around the league – specifically how much they contribute away from the scrum – we think Manny has the potential to be right up with the best of them. Credit has to go to Matt Ferguson for all the work he has done with Manny over the last few years, as well as Mark Hopley and James Craig for bringing him through the academy and helping him grow as a player.”

Iyogun, who gave RugbyPass an in-depth look at his development in a September 2021 interview, added: “I’m really excited to sign on again with Northampton. Saints have always been my club and choosing to stay within this environment, as part of such a tight-knit squad, was an easy decision to make.

“I trust the club’s coaches completely; they helped me make the call to switch into the front row when I joined the senior academy, and have been with me every step of the way since to support my development.

“I still have a lot to learn but I am looking forward to hopefully repaying the faith the coaches have shown in me, and playing my part in the club winning some silverware for our supporters in the years ahead.”