News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
By COYSDC
April 15 2010
Northampton Saints will announce today that another Young Leeds player will be playing for Saints next season. Scott Armstrong will join Joe Ford and Calum Clark at Franklin's Gardens
SCOTT ARMSTRONG - Empics
SAINTS
SIGN WINGER SCOTT ARMSTRONG
Northampton Saints will announce today that wing Scott Armstrong will be joining the club this summer ahead of the 2010/11 Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup campaigns.
The 23-year-old arrives from Leeds Carnegie, where he has made a name for himself as a winger who knows his way to the try line and has plenty of promise for the years to come.
Armstrong, who at 6’3” and 104kgs is a dominant figure on the wing, broke into the Leeds first team in 2007 with a try-scoring debut against Saracens in the EDF Energy Cup and made his Guinness Premiership bow later that season. In Leeds’s 2008/09 National League One campaign he notched an impressive 11 tries in as many appearances as the Yorkshire club secured an immediate return to the top flight.
Armstrong represented England Students for two successive years, scoring two tries in a 37-6 win over the Combined Services at Twickenham in 2007. Before signing for Leeds Armstrong played for Vale of Lune, where he won Lancashire honours at every level from Under-13 to Under-19.
He is excited at the prospect of playing for the Saints.
“I see it as a massive opportunity for me,” Armstrong said. “Northampton is a club that is going places and has come on a lot in the last few seasons. They’ve recruited a lot of good, ambitious players and if they continue improving things could be really good.
“The Saints are also playing an exciting brand of rugby. It’s enjoyable to watch and something I’m looking forward to being involved in. I know I’ve still got to improve as a player and Northampton is a place where I hope I can develop.
“I’ve played at Franklin’s Gardens a couple of times and this year it was one of the few places you couldn’t hear yourself because of the noise made by the fans. It’s electric and the whole experience is something most clubs don’t have. It’s a rugby town and everyone gets behind the team.
“I’ve been at Leeds for five years and come through the Academy. Stuart Lancaster gave me a chance in the first team and Andy Key and Neil Back have pushed on my progression. I’ve really enjoyed my time there and wish them all the best in the future and I’ll be helping the squad try to stay in the Guinness Premiership in the next few weeks.”
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Armstrong will add to the strength in depth in the back three positions.
“Scott had shown over the past few years that he can perform at the highest level and he has experience in the Guinness Premiership and in Europe,” he said. “Scott will also be a powerful presence on the wing or at full back, where his size and speed will be very useful as we prepare for three tough competitions next season. I am very happy that he is joining us in the summer.”
News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 06:10
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Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Robby Richmond (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 06:17
welcome to the club fella!
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 07:03
Wellcome to the saints!
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Lloydie (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 07:32
Everyday things are getting better and better... now for the scrummy/
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:09
The plan is consistent as far as I can see!
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: white lion (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:21
Armstrong hasn't had many opportunities to shine with Leeds and the comments from their fans suggest they aren't too upset by his departure. Clearly the Saints (Dusty Hare?) see untapped potential. Let's hope he flourishes at FG.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Jazzman (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:27
Goes by the nickname 'Scud' I understand from their site.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: smurfomatic (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:32
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Connorman (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:47
Completely understandable reaction from Leeds' supporters - I'm reminded of General Melchett in Blackadder Goes Forth - "If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through"
Working with the best coaching team in the Premiership, developing your game alongside such legends as Bruce Reihana will give you the best possible chance of emulating Ashton, Foden and the other young English tyros here. Welcome to the Saints, Scott.
Working with the best coaching team in the Premiership, developing your game alongside such legends as Bruce Reihana will give you the best possible chance of emulating Ashton, Foden and the other young English tyros here. Welcome to the Saints, Scott.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: SideStep (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 08:52
Stop signing our players! 
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: St Owen (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 09:06
Welcome Scott.
We're taking this youg English thing quite seriously aren't we.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
We're taking this youg English thing quite seriously aren't we.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Bob Stainsby (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 09:53
Welcome Scott! apparently he can see theres something special happenin at Saints and he wants to be part of it 
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Bamberio (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 09:57
Good luck to Scott. I hope he can get some premiership game time at FG as he's hardly even started on the bench for Leeds.
But please, please don't take any more of our players! Unless you fancy swapping some? I'm thinking Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley for the three you've nicked already. Do we have a deal?! :-)
Worth a try.
____________________________________________________________
Please check out my rugby blog at: [studsonthe22.blogspot.com]
But please, please don't take any more of our players! Unless you fancy swapping some? I'm thinking Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley for the three you've nicked already. Do we have a deal?! :-)
Worth a try.
____________________________________________________________
Please check out my rugby blog at: [studsonthe22.blogspot.com]
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Mark_C (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 10:13
So, it's becoming the Northants 'Negies, then.....
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Shaddo (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 10:20
It's a possibility Bamberio, but I'm not sure that Neil Back knows who Foden, Ashton and Hartley are.
I have huge amount of Mr Back as a player*, but when you're running a GP club within the constraints of the salary cap, when your league position means you're not exactly going to have world class players asking for a contract at all hours, and when you're not in charge of the richest club in the world, shouldn't you not only be aiming to keep hold of and developing young talent, rather than letting it slip off to your competitors, but aiming to recruit it as well?
His remarks on CLP were quite telling, I believe. I bet Jim Mallinder knows everything there is to know about every decent young player in the GP and ND1.
It is also a fact that if the salary cap remains as it is, Saints are going to lose some very talented players in their mid-twenties over the next cycle of contract renewals - we simply won't be able to pay all of them within the cap.
* Although he's a cheetah, I loved his quote after the HC, Hand Of Back, final: "If I'd done that playing for Munster they would have made me Mayor of Limerick on the spot"
I have huge amount of Mr Back as a player*, but when you're running a GP club within the constraints of the salary cap, when your league position means you're not exactly going to have world class players asking for a contract at all hours, and when you're not in charge of the richest club in the world, shouldn't you not only be aiming to keep hold of and developing young talent, rather than letting it slip off to your competitors, but aiming to recruit it as well?
His remarks on CLP were quite telling, I believe. I bet Jim Mallinder knows everything there is to know about every decent young player in the GP and ND1.
It is also a fact that if the salary cap remains as it is, Saints are going to lose some very talented players in their mid-twenties over the next cycle of contract renewals - we simply won't be able to pay all of them within the cap.
* Although he's a cheetah, I loved his quote after the HC, Hand Of Back, final: "If I'd done that playing for Munster they would have made me Mayor of Limerick on the spot"
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Loosehead (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 11:01
Quote:Jazzman
Goes by the nickname 'Scud' I understand from their site.
As in Scud Missle, on his first appearance a few years back in a pre season against Doncaster he levelled their wing/fullback with a massive tackle.
is also pound for pound one of the strongest players at the club
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: St Owen (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 11:28
Quote:Shaddo
I bet Jim Mallinder knows everything there is to know about every decent young player in the GP and ND1.
I seriously doubt it. I imagine he has far too much time on his hands. That's why clubs employ scouts. I do agree that the comments we're the best.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: Baldingj (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 12:11
Quote:I seriously doubt it.
I don't doubt it at all. Obviously scouts will be looking, and reporting back to Big Jim. Therefore giving him the information about the up and coming talent. CLP has played against Leeds twice now i beilieve in wanderers colours which shows that Neil Back obviously isn't taking to much time to look beyond his 1st XV.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: SideStep (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 12:30
That was a toungue in cheek comment by Backy
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
The first Leeds Tykes child mascot...#leedswasps0203season. #cheersbentos
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: desbralass (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 12:50
SideStep...it made me smile.
Welcome to Jimmies End,Scott.
Bridesmaids no more.
Welcome to Jimmies End,Scott.
Bridesmaids no more.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: broonie (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 13:08
but i thought neil back was nobby's chief scout for yorkshire ?
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: SaintsDuncan (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 13:19
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: HjS (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 18:00
Welcome to the club, Scott!
Jim obviously anticipates losing Flash to England and Bruiser potentially having more time off next season...
South Burrda Stand / K-Lo / Row P / Renewed
Jim obviously anticipates losing Flash to England and Bruiser potentially having more time off next season...
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: David Tavener (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2010 23:54
Welcome to the Saints Scott!!
I remember when a New Zealander under the name of Bruce Reihana arrived at the Saints and he was relatively unknown entity to myself and probably a lot of others.
Since then we came to love and cherish his play and for years that came and more to follow. I've never heard of Scott before this and I hope Scott can emulate a similar track record that Bruce has in turning himself into something thats almost undroppable.
I remember when a New Zealander under the name of Bruce Reihana arrived at the Saints and he was relatively unknown entity to myself and probably a lot of others.
Since then we came to love and cherish his play and for years that came and more to follow. I've never heard of Scott before this and I hope Scott can emulate a similar track record that Bruce has in turning himself into something thats almost undroppable.
Re: News: Scott Armstrong Signs for Saints
Posted by: bigtobes (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2010 14:01
The missing entity in our back 3 a big, hard runner. Not really had one since Sean Lamont (although he only left last year injuries meant we barely saw him feature in the last two.)
Oh and Ben Cohen.
A pre-season with the Hood and the experience of Bruce should equip him with all he needs to improve. Let's face it, Jim hasn't been wrong many times.
bigtobes.
Oh and Ben Cohen.
A pre-season with the Hood and the experience of Bruce should equip him with all he needs to improve. Let's face it, Jim hasn't been wrong many times.
bigtobes.
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