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Brüssow elated after first start at Franklin’s Gardens

Travis PerkinsSponsored by Travis Perkins

Making his first-ever start in Black, Green and Gold, Saturday’s clash with London Irish was always going to be a game that would live long in Heinrich Brüssow’s memory.

But with Saints running riot after half-time and scoring three quick-fire tries to topple the Exiles, the dynamic back-rower admits he is really relishing his time at Franklin's Gardens so far.

It was not the perfect start for Heinz – as Brüssow is known by his Saints teammates – as the hosts struggled to get going in the first 40 minutes against the Aviva Premiership’s bottom side.

The 31-year-old had been itching to get started after arriving in Northampton nearly a month ago, but he was thrilled his new side managed to pull it back around and get the win to cap off Brüssow’s full debut in style.

“It was great fun. It was my first start and playing in front of a big, full crowd which was really fun. I enjoyed it,” he said.

“I think at the beginning it was tough and we put ourselves under pressure but in the second half we came out firing.

“We scored a few tries and we were back in the game, and then with Piers [Francis] taking the pressure off with that drop goal, it all ended up well so I'm happy.”

Collecting their fourth consecutive home win of 2018 on Saturday, Brüssow insists the side are not far away from turning that home momentum into an away win.

He said: “The guys made a mindset in 2018 to forget about what happened in the past and try to focus on the new things. I think we've been building slowly, but surely – we still make mistakes but we've been going well.

“We just need to focus on what we can do well, go in on a Monday and see what mistakes we made, work hard to make them right and just take it game by game.”

And quickly turning his attention to the challenge of Exeter Chiefs this weekend, Brüssow believes Saints must be at their best if they are to pick up a valuable away win against the reigning champs.

“It's definitely a tough place to go,” he added. “They're up at the top of the league and it's going to be a big challenge for us.

“But I think it's about focussing week on week. We want to pit ourselves against the best sides and it's going to be a tough one.

“We just have to make that step up if we want to be the best and put ourselves in those top positions.”

Tickets are now available for Saints' Aviva Premiership Rugby clash with Sale Sharks on Saturday 3 March (3pm kick-off) from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by CLICKING HERE or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000.

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