Northampton Saints sign Springboks youngster Howard

Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the Northampton Saints have confirmed that South African centre Pat Howard will link up with the team in the summer.

The 23 year old back row player will join the reigning Aviva Premiership champions from South African giants the Stormers. He had a hugely successful spell with the feeder club of the South African Super 15 side the Western Province, where he won Currie Cup, as well as Munster where he was part of the side both for the European Rugby Champions Cup as well as the Guinness Pro 12.

Following his spell with Munster, he returned to Cape Town to link up with the Super Rugby side ahead of the new season of competition but will end his spell at the club prematurely and move north to link up with his new team for the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Speaking on the move, Howard said that he really enjoyed his time playing in Europe and he was absolutely delighted when the Northampton Saints showed an interest in signing him. He added that it was a great opportunity for him to be joining a club as great as the Jimmies and it will also help in his development as a player.

Howard added that he had a great time as he came through the ranks at Western Province but he feels that the time is right to experience new things overseas. Jim Mallinder, the Director of Rugby at the Northampton Saints said that the player would be a very useful addition to the squad next season.

He added that he us a young player and has shown a lot of promise in the Currie Cup, the Pro 12 as well as the Champions Cup and will benefit from playing with the Saints.