Northampton Saints back row Archie Benson is making the most of his game time opportunities in this PREM Cup block as Saints prepare for a trip up north to Newcastle Red Bulls this Friday night (20 February, kick-off: 7:45pm).
Benson has already featured in as many games this term as in his maiden season for Northampton and is set to make his 13th appearance in Black, Green and Gold at Kingston Park as Saints hope to keep their qualification hopes for the competition’s semi-finals alive.
And the 24-year-old – who helped his former club, Luctionians, to their highest-ever league finishes in back-to-back seasons before joining Saints – is thriving at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
“I grew up in Gloucester, which was a completely different environment, but I’m loving playing here,” Benson explained.
“We’ve got a good group of lads at Saints. It obviously helps when the team is winning. We’re doing well in the PREM, Europe and the PREM Cup as well, so it helps when you’re in that winning environment.
“It’s been great getting opportunities like the one this weekend, because I’m a second-line out caller.
By Benson’s own admission, he had a slightly more unconventional route into professional rugby, but he explained he has high ambitions for his future in the sport.
“I signed at Gloucester, Covid happened, and I kind of wanted to step back, so I pulled out of my contract and went farming for nine months during that Covid period,” Benson continued.
“I then went to university at Harper Adams, and studied agriculture there for three years. My middle year was a placement year, so I was on a farm in Herefordshire, where Luctonians are based. And they called me and asked if I fancied coming to play.
“I hadn’t played in a couple of years, and I wasn’t too bothered, but they just said to come along for the social side at least, because you’re living by yourself on a farm.
“I went down there, and then two years later I got a phone call from Saints saying they’d seen me playing for them and asking if I would like to come for a trial week. I signed a contract from there, so it was a bit different but fun all the same.
“All players would say they want to kick on, whatever part of your journey you’re at, but I really feel like I do need to kick on now. I'm 25 next month, and I’ve always said the 2029 Lions tour is my aim – and that definitely still is.
“Everyone’s got different journeys, but I’m pretty serious about trying to get to that. I definitely want to kick on now.”