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Scotland prop Gordon Reid signs for Northampton

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Scotland international Gordon Reid has signed for Northampton Saints until the end of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.

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The 33-year-old loosehead boasts a wealth of experience at the very highest level and arrives at Franklin’s Gardens from PRO14 outfit Glasgow Warriors and Super6 side Ayrshire Bulls – having been available for both clubs this season on a partnership deal.

Reid has won 41 international caps for Scotland since making his debut in 2014, playing in two World Cups and was part of the 2018 Calcutta Cup-winning side at Murrayfield.

After winning the Scottish Premier League with Ayr in 2009, Reid signed his first professional contract with Glasgow the following season and went on to make over 100 appearances in his first stint with the club, playing an integral part in their PRO12 triumph in 2014/15.

The 6ft 2in, 18-stone front row then spent two seasons at London Irish before returning to hometown club Ayr and featuring in all four of Scotland’s matches at the 2019 World Cup.

“I’m really excited to get this opportunity to return to the Gallagher Premiership and contribute towards what will hopefully be a successful season for Northampton,” said Reid.

“This is a club steeped in history and pedigree and the team have played some quality rugby already this year, showing they are genuine contenders for silverware. So I’m looking forward to getting into training straight away and putting my hand up for selection.”

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Northampton scrum coach Matt Ferguson added: “We’ve been really happy with how Manny Iyogun and Toby Trinder have been going with England U20s and Coventry respectively, but we felt like we needed some experienced support for Francois van Wyk and Ben Franks after Alex Waller’s injury.

“So to get someone of Gordon’s quality, straight in from training with Scotland’s Six Nations squad, is excellent news for us. I worked with him at London Irish – so he knows the Premiership – and I found him to be not only a very strong scrummager but also a great character with plenty of grit. He was certainly top of the shopping list for us.

“He’s very much about helping others and imparting knowledge, which is a key feature of our front-row group. We wanted someone who was going to fit straight into our group and into the culture of Saints, so I’m stoked he is here. We’re very grateful to both Glasgow and Ayr for releasing him.”

WATCH: The Rugby Pod reflects on all last weekend’s action in the Guinness Six Nations and the Gallagher Premiership

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Hellhound 9 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

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.

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R
RedWarrior 50 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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