Northampton Saints can today announce that highly-rated coach Sam Vesty will make the switch to Franklin’s Gardens from Worcester Warriors this summer.
The former Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby utility back has been cutting his teeth at Sixways as a coach since retiring from playing in 2013 – progressing from Transition Coach to Backs Coach two years later.
And after proving his mettle at the very highest level as Skills Coach in Eddie Jones’ England set-up for last summer’s Tour of Argentina, the 36-year-old caught the eye of new Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd.
Vesty will become Saints’ Attack Coach next season and will focus on continuing to progress Northampton’s backs division.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining a massive Club in Northampton Saints, and to be given the opportunity to work with and learn from Chris Boyd,” he said.
“This is a brilliant opportunity and one I jumped at taking.
“There are already a top-quality set of backs in Saints’ squad, and the prospect of adding the likes of Dan Biggar and Taqele Naiyaravoro to those ranks is thrilling as a coach.
“All the building blocks are in place for us to be very successful at Franklin’s Gardens.
“I hope to be able to contribute towards a side that plays really exciting rugby; I want to encourage players to express themselves, and to back themselves to be able to go out and execute positive rugby.”
Vesty became the fourth generation of his family to play for Leicester Tigers in 2002 having progressed through their Academy, and made 164 appearances in total for the Welford Road outfit.
Equally comfortable at fly-half, fullback and centre, Vesty then made the switch to Bath Rugby in 2010 – one year after winning two caps for England against Argentina.
After retiring from playing, Vesty began making waves straight away as a coach as he steered Worcester Cavaliers to the Aviva A League final for the very first time in the 2014/15 season, before being promoted to Backs Coach at Sixways.
And after impressing Eddie Jones during a summer stint as England’s Skills Coach – overseeing two high-octane Test victories over Argentina – Saints CEO Mark Darbon believes Vesty can continue his upward trajectory in Northampton.
He said: “We’re delighted that Sam has agreed to come on board at Franklin’s Gardens.
“Sam is a very promising young coach, and it’s no surprise Chris Boyd was keen to secure his signature given what he has shown at club and international level.
“As our new director of rugby, Chris was at the centre of this decision, and I am confident that Sam can help take us to the next level on the pitch.”
Tickets are now available for Saints' home clash with Saracens on Saturday 7 April from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by CLICKING HERE or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000.
Sam Vesty’s career to date:
- Made his Tigers debut in 2002 after coming through the Academy, becoming the fourth generation of his family to play for Leicester in the process.
- 164 appearances in total for the Tigers at fullback, centre, and fly-half, amassing 250 points before leaving Welford Road in 2010.
- Played twice at centre for England in 2009 during their series against Argentina.
- Made 64 appearances for Bath Rugby after moving to the Rec in 2010, scoring 121 points.
- Retired from playing in 2013 and immediately took up role of Transition Coach at Worcester Warriors.
- Helped steer Worcester Cavaliers to the Aviva A League final for the very first time in the 2014/15 season.
- Promoted to Backs Coach at Sixways in February 2015 after less than two years as a full-time coach.
- Added to Eddie Jones’ England staff as Skills Coach for their 2017 summer tour of Argentina, helping to steer the Red Rose to scintillating 38-34 and 35-25 victories over Los Pumas.
