Following the announcement that he will be leaving Worcester Warriors at the end of this season, Northampton Saints will announce today that Tom Wood will be joining the club for the start of the 2010 campaign. Tom comes from Coventry, and working his way through the Worcester academy. made a sensational start in the full squad in 2008. He has recently been called into the England Saxons Squad
SAINTS SIGN WARRIOR WOOD
Northampton Saints today announced the signing of Tom
Wood from near-neighbours Worcester Warriors.
The 23-year-old back rower, who is equally at home on
the flank and at number eight, has been one of the Warriors' stand-out performers
since he burst into the first team in the summer of 2007.
To date he has played 54 times for Worcester and
scored four tries, three of which have come this season. Born in Coventry, Wood
learned the game at Barkers Butts RFC before being snapped up by Worcester's
Academy, and his rugby education includes a spell in New Zealand playing for
North Otago. This week Wood was also drafted into the England Saxons squad for
the coming games against Ireland and Italy.
Standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 105kg, Wood is an
imposing presence on the field and director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that he
will be a good addition to the squad at Franklin's Gardens.
"Tom is an excellent player," he commented. "He has
plenty of Guinness Premiership and European experience, and because he is still
a young man we believe he can improve and add to his game.
"The back row has been one of the most competitive
areas of our squad over the past two years and having Tom here will mean that
the standards will only go up. We are building a squad that we want to be
competitive at the top end of the Guinness Premiership for several years and
Tom will be a big part of that."
Wood will be joining a very competitive roster of back
row players at Franklin's Gardens, but he says that this is a massive
motivation for him to improve his game.
"That's part of the reason why I want to come," he
said. "That's the challenge, to improve my game. I'm naturally very competitive
and believe I will fit into that environment. That was the big carrot for me in
terms of signing. The main reason for coming is to be part of the competitive
environment and hopefully be a part of the starting line-up. Of course I will
have international ambitions too, but my first motivation will be to get into
the Saints first team.
"We've been very aware of how strong Northampton have
been across the board and how fit they are across the 80 minutes, as we found
out at Worcester this season. They've got the ability to play fast and put
pressure on teams. When you take a step back you have to admire how Northampton
can step it up in the last few minutes and the confidence they have to step it
up.
"I'd like to thank Worcester for everything they've
done for me. I've been there a long time and they've played a huge role in my
development, but when you lo0ok at this objectively this a massive and exciting
opportunity that I felt too good to turn down."
News: Tom Wood contracts to Northampton Saints
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 27/01/2010 06:03
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Just because the Warriors/Neil Best signing was announced before the Saints/Tom Wood deal it doesn't necessarily mean that was the order the contracts were signed.
Maybe Tom Wood is regarded by the Saints as being the better prospect and having greater mid/long term potential, which has meant that Best has been allowed to leave.
In a BBC interview Mike Ruddock said they were told tom was leaving (but not his destination) before they signed up Best, which he admitted was a very quick turn round.
Dare I say Tom is the better medium/long term investment, as Scotty is the same generation as Best.
Welcome Tom, hopefully another Budge in the making
Tom Wood (for me and a few others) has been Worcesters best player so far this season, outstanding in the loose and getting better and better on the floor. IMHO this is a great signing for you.
Very astute 23 yo with good background and loads of potential to grow. I see a big Jim and Doreen stratey for the future how refreshing! Welcome to Saints Tom
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:27:08:52:28 by Saintsby.
Good signing for you lot, though he's more of a 6/7 than an 8. A year ago he said he saw himself as an openside but hasn't really had the chance to play there for Wuss so it will be interesting to see if he gets the opportunity at Saints!
Interesting comment from Drahm. Might suggest that the need for an openside has come to a head with Best failing to make the transition as Jim had hoped and not being his first choice 6 there was going to be no regular first team place for Besty. Perhaps Jim sees Woods a future England 7 in the making and got him because he promised him the chance to develop in that role?
Either way welcome Tom - sad to see Besty go but I understand and wish him well.
St Bart MR also said in the interview that Tom's agent had told him they would sign a one year contarct with Warriors!
You have a good player from our acadamy as Dylan was, I think you owe Saints owe the Wuss supporters a drink. 10,000 pints please.
And he's a Cov Kid too, so he knows how to look after himself
Played his early years at Barkers Butts, the same club that's responsible for a certain Neil 'Backy'Back.
RR Don't we know it. Still we've kept Matt Mullan and Miles Benjamin.
Given fitness an England pack could contain Mullan,Hartley,Wood, Narraway and Blaze all from the Wuss acadamy!!
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