Northampton Saints
NEWS: Saints Sign Charlie Davies
By Saint Ted
June 7 2018
Northampton Saints have today announced that scrum-half Charlie Davies will be joing the club this summer.
Beginning his professional rugby career at Nottingham in 2007, Davies broke onto the senior stage in 2009 when he signed for Stade Francais.
Moving on to Wasps at the close of that campaign, the 28-year-old made his Premiership debut in 2010 and went on to make 84 appearances for the side before joining Dragons in 2015.
And from there the scrum-half turned out 54 times for the Welsh region after making his debut against Connacht in 2015.
“The decision to join a Club like Northampton Saints was a no-brainer,” Davies said.
For the full story head over to T'Offy
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Discussion started by Marching On , 07/06/2018 12:06
Marching On
07/06/2018 12:06
07/06/2018 12:06
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Welcome to the club Charlie Davies. But did we need a scrum half? I thought we had three. Is someone moving?
One injury and we'd be down to a single scrum half without this addition. Solid replacement for Groom who shouldn't block Alex's progression.
Welcome Charlie.
Welcome Charlie.
So first choice looks like Reinach. Kessell firmly in the Wandies with Mitchell and Davies fighting it out for 2nd spot.
Quote:TheGent
One injury and we'd be down to a single scrum half without this addition. Solid replacement for Groom who shouldn't block Alex's progression.
Welcome Charlie.
Purely a question from someone who has never heard of Davies....but is he a solid replacement? Anyone know of his current performance level?
I guess my question is what has attracted us to him?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:06:07:11:07:34 by expeeler.
He's a good player. I'm surprised we didn't sign him when he was at Nottingham because he was getting quite a reputation. He's a big unit as well for a scrum half. In the Mike Phillips mould.
I do find the language of this release interesting.
A player is described as "linking up" with the club.
Does that mean he's signed? Not signed but there is freedom to train/use facilities/"insert your own thoughts here" within the club?
Just saying....
A player is described as "linking up" with the club.
Does that mean he's signed? Not signed but there is freedom to train/use facilities/"insert your own thoughts here" within the club?
Just saying....
Perhaps Boyd's 8's look like 9's when they're written on a scrap piece of paper. Should have gone to Specsavers or written the number down correctly. For goodness sake Saints, get an 8 please.
He says joined the club,
“The decision to join a Club like Northampton Saints was a no-brainer,” Davies said.
Which suggest a bit more than linking with?
“The decision to join a Club like Northampton Saints was a no-brainer,” Davies said.
Which suggest a bit more than linking with?
Just seen that hes been released by Dragons rather than his contract was up and he chose to come to us.
I would hope that this more of a Wandies signing unless Boyd has seen something that Dragons havent.
I would hope that this more of a Wandies signing unless Boyd has seen something that Dragons havent.
Quote:Chris Hoddle
Tom Kessels is still listed on the offy squad?
I thought he was moving to Coventry
At one stage it was stated that Kessels was leaving but as mentioned above he still appears in the squad and was not announced as leaving at the end of the season. I doubt we need 4 scrum halves.
3 scrum halves would leave us a bit exposed with two required for the senior squad on match day then two for the wanderers, one would have to be playing twice potentially increasing the risk of injury. With spare funds, it makes sense to sign cover in a specialist position. Welcome to the club.
Looks like a good signing, brings quite a nice balance to our scrum half options:
Reinarch - 1st choice due to skill/pace/international experience
Davies - General experience(Prem/Top14/Pro14), Bulk
Mitchell - Amazing potential, game management, fantastic pass etc.
Agree about Kessell seeming surplus to requirements, I would guess he'd want out anyway after barely getting even a Wandies game recently.
Reinarch - 1st choice due to skill/pace/international experience
Davies - General experience(Prem/Top14/Pro14), Bulk
Mitchell - Amazing potential, game management, fantastic pass etc.
Agree about Kessell seeming surplus to requirements, I would guess he'd want out anyway after barely getting even a Wandies game recently.
Quote:andysaint
3 scrum halves would leave us a bit exposed with two required for the senior squad on match day then two for the wanderers, one would have to be playing twice potentially increasing the risk of injury. With spare funds, it makes sense to sign cover in a specialist position. Welcome to the club.
I'd imagine 4th spot being covered by an academy player? The next Alex Mitchell...
Seems a sensible signing. My theory on No 8 is that we will sign a very good one - in 12 months.
Quote:Thrupp artist
Seems a sensible signing. My theory on No 8 is that we will sign a very good one - in 12 months.
And Haskell will do for a season!!
At Wasps he was very good, but couldn't get regular starts because Simpson was in great form.
He'll be a decent player for you, unless the welsh have ruined him completely!
He'll be a decent player for you, unless the welsh have ruined him completely!
Mitchell will be challenging Reinach for starting position. Davies number three in pecking order but you never know what is around the corner with injuries etc
Quote:Saint Stokey
So first choice looks like Reinach. Kessell firmly in the Wandies with Mitchell and Davies fighting it out for 2nd spot.
Interesting Reinach 1st choice ?. I was going to post this a few days ago but I was distracted:
Two major areas of recruitment worry me, I feel we have problems at 8&9.
Number 8 has been discussed over and over, but still is a major problem IMO. As for scrumhalf, we have let our best go off to Bath & SA. and whilst Cobus Reinach has good points, pace and cover tackling, he lacks the essentials of a top 9. His pass is short and not quick which is not going to help Dan Biggar, and his box kicking is poor, and in the last two games made errors that cost us points. Alex Mitchell has most of the things lacking in Cobus, but will the club blood him?.
If Cobus has a short pass, Biggar will have to stand closer. This should mean flatter so we may play a more attacking running game.
For me, box kicking and speed of passing is a skill that can be coached.
As for blooding Mitchell, unless we're planning to play Cobus for 80 minutes of every game, we're going to have to, unless Davies or Kessell play themselves into the position. But i see that as competition and the point of having a squad.
I think Boyd has enough about him to play those in form. He's operated that way with Hurricanes so i see no reason why not to do with us.
For me, box kicking and speed of passing is a skill that can be coached.
As for blooding Mitchell, unless we're planning to play Cobus for 80 minutes of every game, we're going to have to, unless Davies or Kessell play themselves into the position. But i see that as competition and the point of having a squad.
I think Boyd has enough about him to play those in form. He's operated that way with Hurricanes so i see no reason why not to do with us.
Went down the pecking order at Dragons, a 17 year old became 1st choice for much of the season. The coach's terms of reference last season was to give all his squad game time in order to decide who to keep and who to release. Then WRU money would arrive in order to strengthen the squad for next season. Their main scrum half signing was Rhodri Williams who played for the BaaBaas versus England. Certainly stood out as MOM when I watched Bedford v Bristol last season, a Williams for a Davies sound very Welsh.
I am very impressed with Mitchell
He is quick and has a very good rugby brain.
I think he is better than Reinach. And Reinach is good
He is quick and has a very good rugby brain.
I think he is better than Reinach. And Reinach is good
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