Mallinder signs new contract with the Saints

Posted on May 17, 2012 in Northampton

Northampton Saints today announced that director of rugby Jim Mallinder has signed a new contract with the club, which will extend his tenure at Franklin’s Gardens until at least 2015.

In just five short years Mallinder has taken the Saints from the pain of relegation to being considered one of the top clubs in Aviva Premiership Rugby and in the Heineken Cup.

Indeed the club has not enjoyed such consistent levels of success – four trophies; five finals in five years, including the 2011 Heineken Cup final; and three successive Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-finals – since the 1950s and 60s.

Individuals have also flourished under the Yorkshireman’s guidance, with a modern-day record of eight players chosen in England’s 2012 Six Nations Elite Player Squad and no fewer than six England regulars having made their international debut since joining the club.

Mallinder has also rejuvenated the Saints Academy, appointing Dusty Hare to manage a production line which is now providing the first team squad with a steady stream of exciting young and talented players.

Already Aviva Premiership Rugby’s longest-serving current director of rugby, by the end of his new contract Mallinder will have been in charge of the team at Franklin’s Gardens for eight years, stability which chairman Leon Barwell says is vitally important for the continued growth and development of the club.

“Jim signing his new contract is terrific news for the club and underpins our aspirations for the future,” he said. “As we see so often in sports across the world having continuity of management is crucial in a club’s long-term success, and this is exactly what Jim brings to the Saints.

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Christian Day staying at Franklin’s Gardens

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 in English Rugby, Northampton, Premiership

Northampton Saints today announced that Christian Day is staying at Franklin’s Gardens after having signed a new contract with the club.

The 28-year-old lock forward arrived at Franklin’s Gardens in the summer of 2008 from Stade Francais. In the three-and-a-half years since then Day has earned himself winners medals in both the European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup and played in the 2011 Heineken Cup final.

So far he has played 75 times in the black, green and gold and his form during his time in Northampton earned Day a call-up to the 2011 England Saxons Six Nations squad.

Day says that staying in Northampton was a straightforward choice to make.

“It was a fairly easy decision to make,” he said. “The Saints are one of the top clubs in the country and my family are pretty settled here, so ultimately it was pretty easy to make the choice to stay in the area.

“The last four years have gone very quickly and over that time we have developed as a squad and have a good core of players which has grown in number. The Northampton fans have been treated to some good performances and now we’re in a position where we should be competing for the top honours.

“The support we get from the fans is massive. Every player wants to be supported and feel like they’re part of something when they turn up on a Saturday. A club like Northampton is good to play for; the whole town’s behind us and I’m looking forward to being part of a squad that can hopefully deliver silverware in the future.”

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that it is important for the Saints to be retaining the services of players like Day.

“Christian has been with us for a number of years and knows what makes the club and the team tick,” he said. “He is a quality player in both the set piece and in the loose and has contributed a lot to our development over the past four seasons. He is still in his twenties and has plenty of good years in front of him, and we are delighted that he has chosen to spend them at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Italy "A" names team for Churchill Cup debut

Posted on Jun 2, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Italy "A" coach Gianluca Guidi has revealed the team that will face Canada in the Churchill Cup opener on Saturday June 4 at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Azzurri, who are making their debut in the competition this weekend, will clash with the North Americans under the watchful eye of Italy Head Coach Nick Mallett, who will attend the game ahead of finalising his Rugby World Cup squad later this month.

Speaking of his selection, Guidi said: "We will line up with some very experienced internationals such as Marco Bortolami, Mauro Bergamasco and team captain Valerio Bernabò, shoulder to shoulder with emerging guys such as Trevisan, hooker Tommaso D’Apice and centre Denis Majstorovic. All of them played very well in the Italian Championship this season and deserve their selection".

However, Guidi revealed he is expecting a tough challenge from the Canadians:

“It will be a tough game, no doubt. Canada reached the Churchill Cup final in 2010, beating France in the pool phase, and the Canadians will be committed to perform at their best ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup”

Talking about his side’s debut in the competition, he added:

“It is a privilege for us to compete in the Churchill Cup for the first time and we’ve picked an interesting squad, with some new guys emerging from the Union youth system. We’re working closely with Nick Mallett and his staff and we hope to give him indications for the World Cup".

Italy "A" vs. Canada, June 4, Franklin’s Gardens, 1430.

Italy “A”
15 Ruggero TREVISAN (BancaMonteParma Crociati)*
14 Andrea BACCHETTI (Femi-CZ Rovigo, 2 caps)
13 Denis MAJSTOROVIC (Estra I Cavalieri Prato)
12 Matteo PRATICHETTI (MPS Aironi, 22 caps)
11 Michele SEPE (Benetton Treviso, 3 caps)
10 Riccardo BOCCHINO (MPS Aironi, 6 caps)*
9 Tito TEBALDI (MPS Aironi, 14 caps)
8 Manoa VOSAWAI (Benetton Treviso, 8 caps)
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO (Stade Francais, 84 caps)
6 Valerio BERNABO’ (Benetton Treviso, 19 caps) – captain
5 Marco BORTOLAMI (MPS Aironi, 84 caps)
4 Corniel VAN ZYL (Benetton Treviso)
3 Fabio STAIBANO (MPS Aironi, 9 caps)
2 Tommaso D’APICE (Futura Park Rugby Roma)*
1 Alberto DE MARCHI (MPS Aironi)
16 Andrea MANICI (HBS GranDucato Parma)*
17 Matias AGUERO (MPS Aironi, 17 caps)
18 Dario CHISTOLINI (Petrarca Padova)
19 Joshua FURNO (MPS Aironi)*
20 Francesco MINTO (Benetton Treviso)
21 Giulio TONIOLATTI (MPS Aironi, 5 caps)
25 Durandt GERBER (HBS GranDucato Parma)
*is/has been member of Italy U20 "Ivan Francescato" Academy

Cueto cited

Posted on Apr 6, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks) has been cited for making contact with the eye or eye area of Northampton Saints’ Christian Day during the Aviva Premiership match at Franklin’s Gardens on April 2, 2011.

Cueto has been summoned to appear before an RFU Disciplinary Panel of Antony Davies (chair), Clif Barker and David MacInnes on Monday, April 11 (7pm) at the Thistle Haydock, Merseyside following a report by the independent citing officer Matt Bayliss.

Russian wing flying to Franklin’s Gardens

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 in Northampton, Premiership

Northampton Saints today announced that Russian back Vasili Artemiev will be joining the club later this year.

The 23-year-old, who can play either on the wing or at full back, will be a familiar face to supporters who watched the 2010 Churchill Cup. Artemiev scored in all three of Russia’s games, including against the England Saxons, and his effort against Uruguay helped the Bears win the Bowl final.

However his try scoring pedigree goes back to his schooldays at Blackrock College in Ireland, where playing alongside current Irish international Luke Fitzgerald he won schools Junior and Senior Cup medals. He scored two tries for Ireland Schools against England in 2005 and his age group form won him representative honours for Ireland Under-19s and a place in the Leinster Academy.

Upon completing his Bachelor of Law degree at University College, Dublin, Artemiev returned to his native Moscow to join VVA-Podmoskovie, where he has played since 2008.

A full international debut for Russia came in 2009, and he was an ever-present in the latter stages of the Bears’ successful Rugby World Cup qualification campaign that will see them head to New Zealand later in the year.

Artemiev will join up with the Saints once his World Cup commitments have ended, but he is already looking forward to running out at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I’ve heard a lot about the club and followed their recent good form,” he said. “Everyone who I’ve spoken to has given me good feedback about the facilities and coaches, who are among the best in England at the moment. I’m looking forward to coming and learning from them and playing with some good players. The Saints is also one of the best clubs in Europe at the moment and I hope that I can contribute to some success over the next few years.

“I certainly feel that there are some world class players, especially in the positions where I play, and I’m sure I’ll be able to pick up some things that can help me develop as a player and show what I can do in the Premiership.

“When I was at the Leinster Academy I played some English clubs, and playing against the Saxons gave me a feel of the intensity and physicality that’s needed to succeed in England. Having the opportunity to play at that level will put me in a good place for my career to develop.”

Artemiev will be the first Russian to play Aviva Premiership Rugby, and he hopes that if he can play well it will encourage European clubs to sign up more of his countrymen.

“I hope to help some of the younger players in the Russian national team make their way to Europe,” he added. “They’re very keen and are capable of playing at that level, but they’ve never had the exposure or opportunity. Maybe my playing in England will help their career as well.”

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes that Artemiev has the talent to succeed in Aviva Premiership Rugby.

“Vasili really caught the eye during the Churchill Cup last year when he scored three really good tries,” he said. “He has plenty of pace, awareness and raw talent. He is also eager to develop as a player and we’re looking forward to him being a part of the squad at Franklin’s Gardens.”