Northampton Saints Academy assistant coach Charles Rylands was pleased with the side’s progress during the summer Academy block as the players now return to their schools.
The young Saints began their August matches with a friendly fixture at the Malvern College Academy Festival, where they came away with an impressive 28-22 victory over Leinster Rugby while on a bye week in the Defender Next Gen Academy League.
Saints then entered the competition in Round 2, starting with a 50-39 victory over Gloucester at Moulton College before finishing their first block of three games last weekend with a frustrating 45-26 defeat against last year’s finalists Bath Rugby.
“We’ve had a really positive summer block,” said Rylands.
“We challenged the lads at the start of the season to improve themselves both on and off the pitch, and I think they’ve done themselves proud.
“This group are incredibly tight. They’re a connected bunch. They’ve spoken about things they probably never thought they’d speak about in a group setting before, and I think that closeness then comes out in their game.
“On the pitch against Bath, we probably didn’t get the game going how we wanted to secure that complete performance, but there were still some positives to take from that game.
“Their intensity as a group is really good and we’re just looking for them to have some enjoyment in their game, which I think they have found in the summer.”
First-half tries from Alfie Tedbury and Fin Shields against Bath saw the two sides head into the break level on the scoreboard at 14-all.
However, the hosts turned the screw in the second half and used their set-piece dominance to their advantage, and despite a second try by Shields as well as another from returning England U18 Jeremiah German, it was the hosts who came away victors.
On the result, Rylands said: “I was pleased with parts of our attack. It was really good when we got our game going, and I thought Seb Dare was very good defensively and did a lot what he’s been showing all summer.
“I think it’s a team of grafters that are exciting to watch. We just have to try to nail the whole piece together.
“The lads will review that block and review parts of the games – there’ll be plenty things to work on before the next match comes round.
“Obviously, we’re not going to see the players as much as we have as they head back into their schools. But they can go into those settings now, kick on and then we’ll rip into preparing for Sale when we re-convene in October.”