Sam Dickinson the new guy on the Saints block
For whatever reason there is a bit of an exodus coming from Northampton Saints right now and you can understand the Saints fans wanting established household names in as replacements.
Sam Dickinson may not be a well known name amongst Premiership fans but he does have experience. He is a battler on the pitch and a proven leader. A true rugby warrior. Dickinsons hard work and tenacity make him one of those irritatingly tireless opponents to face.
The versatile back-row forward has been attracting alot of interest from Premiership clubs this season after firmly establishing himself as one of the most consistent players in the Championship. Jim Mallinder outlined Dickinson's versatility as a key factor in the clubs decision to sign the Rotherham Titans club captain.
Sam Dickinson has spent just three years at Clifton Lane with the Rotherham Titans picking up the captaincy in that time and firmly establishing himself as a fan favourite. When asked what kind of player Northampton were getting and why Dickinson is so popular with fans a club spokesperson had this to say
Club Captain Sam Dickinson joined the South Yorkshire
Championship outfit from Caldy in the summer of 2009. Sam has gone on
to make 64 appearances for the Titans, scoring 4 tries along the way.
Dickinson is capable of playing second and back row forward with equal
effectiveness.
Sam is a leader of men, his communication skills are excellent and his
total commitment in his aggressive style of play ensures team mates
follow him willingly into the trenches. This robust, all-action style
has made Dickinson a firm favourite with the Clifton Lane faithful.
So, should Saints fans be excited by this signing? Emphatically yes! Dickinson is twenty-seven years old, he is about ready to hit his career peak. He will fight tooth and nail for every inch on the pitch and put his body on the line for every available ball. Dickinson could also offer up a few surprises for any foolhardy opponents that underestimate his ability to carry and offload. I for one am looking forward to seeing him joining the heavy hitting ranks of the Northampton Saints pack.
