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Saints don't lose Wyk, Kitto returns for second stint with Warriors

Van Wyk and Lawes stretching

Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors have both today confirmed signings ahead of the 2019/20 season.

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Francois van Wyk

Saints have confirmed that prop Francois van Wyk has signed a new contract with the Club to keep him at Franklin’s Gardens until 2021.

Since arriving in the East Midlands in the summer of 2017, the powerful South African-born loosehead has made 43 appearances in Black, Green and Gold in all competitions.

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Van Wyk has enhanced his first team credentials this term under Chris Boyd, getting a run of starts under his belt and scoring his first points for the Club with a try double against Bristol Bears in October.

The 27-year-old also claimed some silverware in his debut season as he played a prominent role in the Wanderers’ A League triumph, starting the final where Northampton beat Exeter Braves 31-21 in the final.

And with at least two more seasons as a Saint to look forward to, Van Wyk is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the Franklin’s Gardens faithful.

“I’m really happy to be staying on with Saints for another couple of years,” he said.

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“I feel very at home here at the Club, and the confidence that Chris Boyd and the other coaches have put in me this season have helped me to kick on.

“The players around me are helping me a lot and I just want to build on my performances this season and improve my consistency.

“I’m very excited for the challenge that lies ahead of us in the coming seasons and hopefully we can pick up some silverware for these great fans.”

Jono Kitto

Scrum-half Jono Kitto is set for a second stint with Warriors having signed a contract for next season.

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The former New Zealand Under-20s international had a short stint on loan at Sixways at the start of last season and will return on a permanent deal from New Zealand provincial side Northland.

“I am really excited to be heading back to play rugby in the Gallagher Premiership and in particular with the Worcester Warriors,” Kitto said.

“I really enjoyed my brief stint there in 2017 and met some good people that I am looking forward to working with again.

It has been good to be home the last year reconnecting with family and friends and I really enjoyed my time with Northland, but the opportunity to join Worcester was too good to miss.”

Kitto, 26, has previous Premiership experience with Leicester Tigers, from he played for Warriors on loan, and Harlequins.

Kitto is Warriors’ third new signing for next season following lock Graham Kitchener, who will rejoin from Leicester, and tighthead prop Conor Carey, who will move from Connacht.

Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons said: “ Jono is a quality, experienced scrumhalf, who has the distinct advantage of not only having played in the Premiership,but of having played for the Club.

“Everyone at the Club who worked with him sings his praises as both a player and a bloke so I have no doubt he will add huge value and we look forward to welcoming him back to Sixways.”

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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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