Rugby Union: Northampton Saints sign prop Gareth Denman

Gareth Denman

Gareth Denman hopes to follow in the footsteps of some more illustrious names after the prop agreed to join Northampton Saints from Championship side Rotherham Titans.

The 22-year-old came through the Academy system at Leeds Carnegie and made his debut for them in 2009. He then moved to Rotherham at the start of last season and impressed enough to earn a move to Franklin’s Gardens.

Denman will be competing with fellow new signing Salesi Mafu and Tom Mercey for the tighthead spot in the Saints front row, and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m glad to get back into the professional environment at a club like Northampton,” said Denman. “I’m going to get my head down and work hard.

“The Championship is a tough league and my game has come along a lot just by playing, but the Premiership is another step up altogether and I’ve got a lot to learn.

“You look at how the likes of Brian Mujati and Tom Mercey have developed over the past few years, and I hope to follow in their footsteps, learning from the coaches and other players at Franklin’s Gardens.”

The departure of Mujati to French side Racing Metro, along with Soane Tonga’uiha, means the front row has been a focus of Northampton’s rebuilding for the 2013/14 season.

Denman and Australia international Mafu have both been recruited to add competition for Mercey following Mujati’s departure, while the other side of the scrum will see homegrown Saints prop Alex Waller battle it out with England international Alex Corbisiero for the number one jersey.

Denman is also one of several ex-Leeds Academy players now plying their trade at Northampton, along with Calum Clark, James Craig and Luther Burrell.

He has experience of playing in the Premiership from his time at Headingley, while Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes his time playing in the second tier will also have improved him as a player.

“The Championship is one of the toughest leagues to play in if you’re a front row forward, and Gareth will have learned a lot very quickly over the past couple of years,” said Mallinder.

“We believe that Gareth is ready to make the step up to Aviva Premiership level, and that he has the ability to be successful at Franklin’s Gardens over the next few years.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/404332/Tom-Wood-We-have-a-job-to-do-here

No related posts.

Rugby Union: Northampton Saints sign prop Gareth Denman