Saints Under-18s Forwards and Defence Coach, Charles Rylands, expressed his pride at the young Saints’ ‘intent’ at Malvern College Academy Festival.
Saints’ U18s came away with an impressive 28-22 victory over Leinster in Tuesday’s friendly fixture, organised as Northampton enjoyed a bye in Round 1 of the new Defender PREM Next Gen League – while the Club’s Under-17s turned out two sides to play a rotation of six games.
The festival presented the first opportunity of the season for the young Saints to play against competitive opposition before beginning their Next Gen matches in earnest when they host Gloucester Rugby at Moulton College on Friday 14 August (kick-off: 12pm).
Attending the Malvern Festival has become a well-trodden path for Saints’ up and coming talent, with the likes of Henry Pollock and Archie McParland cutting their teeth there in recent seasons.
On Saints’ performance at the festival, Rylands said, “From my point of view, I was really proud of our intent not to let the other team score. We talk about hustle a lot, and I think we’ve seen that from the boys.
“This week was about learning about the players. We connected really well over the week, especially off the field.
“We let them do a little bit more of that, so they got to know each other even more, and on the field, they put in a really good effort against a strong Leinster team.
“What I want from the boys, first of all, is for them to enjoy getting better. And then secondly, just having the willingness to learn. Whether that is on and off the pitch, just having the willingness to learn and work with and be good individuals.”
On Thursday, Northampton’s Under-17s play a rotation of friendly games against Scarlets, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby respectively.
On the Under-17s performances, Rylands said: “It was a great opportunity for the boys to go out and represent the shirt.
“We put a massive emphasis on our intent and effort, which meant working hard for each other, and I thought both teams did that brilliantly.
“It was exemplified in the final fixture against Harlequins – even when the boys were tired after a long day of games, they kept playing for each other and never gave up, which was exactly what we want to see.”