Scott Young enjoying opportunity to play with new faces

Loose forward Angus Scott Young is relishing the opportunity to play and train with the new faces in Northampton Saints’ squad, ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season.

Entering his fourth season with the men in Green, Black and Gold, the Australian flanker has now made over 70 appearances for Saints, and last Friday night he had the opportunity to take the field against Bedford Blues with a few of Saints’ newest signings.

Northampton lifted the Mobbs Memorial Trophy following a 40-28 victory at Goldington Road, with Scott-Young himself getting on the scoresheet.

“It was an awesome game against Bedford,” he said. “It was a really exciting match. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of that, and now I’m just keen to crack on again against Glasgow Warriors this weekend.

“We’ve done almost nine weeks of preseason now, there’s been a lot of focus on strength and conditioning, but also bringing the new guys in, teaching them the game plan, and helping them get aligned.

Pulling on a Black, Green and Gold jersey for the first time in Friday’s win were new signings Cleopas Kundiona, James Martin, Tom Rowe, Amena Caqusau and Anthony Belleau, who all joined the squad this summer, as well as the likes of recent Academy graduates James Pater, Edoardo Todaro, Jack Lawrence, and Siep Walta.

“I guess I’m one of the older heads; it’s my fourth season now,” added Scott Young. “We’ve recruited some really good guys, like Cleopas, who has been awesome. Daniello Fichetti as well is a good dude.

“They’re from all over the world too, which is pretty cool. Being able to take the time and learn about their culture and where they’re from and their paths in the rugby world is super interesting.

“Fischetti has lived in Italy his whole life, so he has a different approach to the game, and so does Anthony who has been in France.

“We sat around the BBQ a few weeks ago just chatting about things, his perspective on the game, and how they do things differently in France, and it’s really enriching to learn about different cultures.

“The coaches are really open to bringing in new ideas, and Anthony plays quite a flair style, but he’s also a brilliant lieutenant, just marching everyone forward. 

“He’s settled in really well, and I think he’s an awesome addition to the squad, sharing the ten shirt with Fin, and he’s also a very tough bloke as we saw on Friday night as he took a big bang on his nose!”

This weekend, Saints are on the road for their second and final preseason friendly, as they make the long journey up and across the northern border to face Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening.

It is a final opportunity for Phil Dowson’s side to put into practice their hard work from across their preseason campaign, before they head back into competitive fixtures.

Saracens are first up on the road in the PREM Rugby Cup, and then the opening round of the Gallagher PREM sees Exeter Chiefs visit cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – Saints’ first curtain-raiser on home soil since 2021.

Reflecting on last season’s performances and looking ahead to the upcoming season, Scott-Young added: “Last year the results were a mixed bag. We went well in Europe, but in the PREM, we didn’t go as well.

“I think psychologically, because Europe wasn’t something we’d achieved as a group, it was the great unknown. This year, I’d love to see us be successful in both competitions because there’s nothing better than that.

“For me, this season, my game is obviously centred around my physicality and being confrontational; there are plenty of individual areas I want to try and improve. However long I get out on the field, I want to enjoy myself and put what I practice out onto the pitch.”