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Northampton have appointed Clermont Auvernge assistant Alex King as their new backs coach for next season.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20912566
Northampton have appointed Clermont Auvernge assistant Alex King as their new backs coach for next season.
A very good appointment. When he took over from Joe Schmidt as ASM backs coach, there was virtually no drop off in the quality of that backline's play.
King was being strongly linked with the Connacht head coaching position.
A very good appointment. When he took over from Joe Schmidt as ASM backs coach, there was virtually no drop off in the quality of that backline's play.
King was being strongly linked with the Connacht head coaching position.
I didn't say ASM! Check any of the Irish newspapers.King was being strongly linked with the Connacht head coaching position.
@psychic duck
I didn't say ASM! Check any of the Irish newspapers.
I stand corrected on King's role with ASM. Nevertheless, it's unarguable that Clermont's ball handling is superb, an indication that he's done a terrific job there.
Not to cherry pick stats but ASM have 45 tries in 18 games this season, averaging around 2.5 tries per game. Under Schmidt as far as I recall they averaged around 3 tries per game. That's not a massive drop off given Schmidt is widely hailed as the best backs coach plying his trade in Europe. I'd suggest Azéma and King are doing something right. That's purely subjective though.
It's an excellent appointment for Northampton.
So far you wouldn't notice a difference if Rob Kearney, Mike Brown [...] were staples of the backline.