Versatile back Robbie Kydd was one of Budge Pountney's earliest signings but the club were forced out of the deal when Robbie suffered what could have been a career-ending knee injury in training while at his former club Saracens. Saints, however, took their duty of care very seriously and actively helped to rehabilitate the former New Zealand U21s player.
Robbie always said he would be back for Christmas 2005 and he made his Saints debut just a few weeks over that deadline at a time when Saints were desperately short of centres. He played for more than 60 minutes on his debut against Worcester and helped Saints onto their first league win over their Midlands rivals since the Warriors were promoted.
Robbie made six appearances following that memorable day and is a useful man to have around as he covers fly-half, centre and full-back and has a mean goal-kicking boot on him too. This positional flexibility was utilised throughout the 2006/07 campaign thanks to Saints backline injuries.
Robbie's starring moment came in the Heineken Cup quarter final in San Sebastian, when his opportunism and anticipatory instincts saw him intercept a Dimitri Yachvili pass and race over 60 metres for the match-winning try. Robbie ended the season with 26 appearances and a selection for Scotland's Churchill Cup squad.
Robbie became a fixture in the Saints side once more in the first few months of 2007/08. Unfortunately he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the home game against Coventry that has ruled him out of the game for several months.
