Since joining Saints, scrum-half Nic Groom has been a prominent face in the club’s success so far this season, scoring two tries after making his debut off the bench in the first game of the season against Bath. The South African says he is enjoying his experience of Aviva Premiership rugby so far and that he is settling into life in Northampton well.
“The experience at Franklin’s Gardens has been amazing so far,” Groom said on this week’s podcast.
“I’ve been really blessed playing in Cape Town, at Newlands, where we get loads of people but honestly running onto the field here and the crowd singing and really rallying round the team even after a string of disappointing performances has been really, really amazing.”
The speedy scrum-half, who spent time with South Africa ‘A’ over the summer, commented that despite the Premiership drawing smaller crowds to smaller grounds the support that English teams receive is just as inspiring to the players on the field.
“Back home if there’s a stadium that’s not full its really noticeable but here it certainly doesn’t feel like there’s any less people.
“It’s been really something special, seeing the turn out every week when it’s a full stadium it’s really inspiring to play at.
Groom, now having started the last four games in a row, is establishing himself as a well-known face in the rugby world and says that the standard of the Aviva Premiership means that there is no easy game, every week being a challenge.
“The Premiership is a really high standard. The teams are really well coached. There’s some really talented players in every team you play against.
“But I guess the main thing that I’m starting to notice is that every weekend if you’re not on your game you can be rolled over either at home or away. Whereas, back home there’s maybe the odd side that you can beat easily.
“So every single week here there’s a new challenge and a new team that’s got really good players and really well coached and that challenge every week is something that I’m getting used to.”
Now settling into Northampton well, the scrum-half said that having the support of the club and everything so close it has been easy to get a solid foothold in his new home.
“I’m loving the fact that the club is very much a base for the players, it’s a based for me now. That’s the solid support you need when moving.
“It’s been such a luxury having all these facilities here that are really accessible to the players and there whenever I need it.
“So that with the fact that nothing’s too far, there’s not much traffic so there seems like there’s a couple more hours in the day which I’m really enjoying.
“Also the fact that everyone in Northampton seems to be rugby mad makes it a lot easier. I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far.”
