By Ben Grundy
Northampton Saints’ new signing Tom West is ‘ready for the challenge’ ahead in the new season and recognises he has ‘big boots to fill’ in place of departing club legend Alex Waller.
Before joining Dowson’s squad, the prop spent 11 years at London Wasps, followed by stints at Leicester Tigers and most recently Saracens, where he made 11 appearances last season.
The 28-year-old is ‘loving life’ at Franklin’s Gardens and said: “It’s an easy place to settle into.
“It’s got that family feel here. It’s competitive in training and everyone wants to improve and it’s easy to push yourself when everyone else is doing the same.”
Since signing for the club in early May, the Englishman says he has settled easily into the squad: “When I met Dowson and the coaches, I had a really good feeling about it.
“I think from week one in preseason it’s been really easy. Everyone has been really welcoming and it just speaks volumes to the environment around the club and how it is such a close-knit group.”
West kept his eye on the Premiership champions last season and analysed their playing style ahead of his move: “I knew I was coming here reasonably early so it was good to keep an eye on how the boys were getting on and working out how I would fit in and get going.
“I think there is a sort of emphasis on open, free-flowing play but I think there is also a massive amount of respect put on the set piece, which I think is amazing.
“I think it is the fundamental role of the front row to provide ball for the athletes to score tries and make everyone in the stands love it.”
West feels the Gardens is the ‘best ground in the league’ and compliments set piece work nicely.
“The pitch is easily the best in the league by a mile, especially if you compare it to a rainy night in Bath.
“I think everyone looks at it (the pitch) and thinks that will be amazing for the backs for running but it also means we won’t be slipping at scrum time and mauls will be staying up so that we can put our best foot forward and show what we can do.”
The new signing has previous experience playing against the Saint’s next preseason test Bedford Blues during his spell at Nottingham in the Championship and said: “It’s going to be two very similar game plans trying to take place and it’s going to be an open, fast game.”
The men in Green, Gold and Black will face off against Bedford on September 13, kick-off at 7.45 pm at the Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.