I’d no idea George North was this good, says Alex King
King was delighted with the winger’s contribution to Northampton‘s stunning semi-final victory over Leicester, telling The Rugby Paper: “George has been an absolute pleasure to work with and I’ve never met anyone who works so hard.
“His performance against Leicester was outstanding, whether ball-carrying, defending, dealing with balls in the air. He’s a player who gives tremendous confidence to the guys around him.
“I knew he was a world-class player and had spoken to (Wales coaches) Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley about him. But I didn’t realise quite how good and I’ve been incredibly impressed.
“He’s a hell of an athlete – he’s quick and powerful – but he also works incredibly hard and that’s why he’s the player he is. He’s been a really important squad member and his contribution is immense.”
King expects all Northampton’s stars to rise to the occasion. As a Wasps fly-half, King’s record at HQ is unsurpassed: eight consecutive finals won in seven years, including the 2004 league and Heineken Cup double.
And he is confident his current charges will not fluff their lines, explaining: “Twickenham’s amazing and the guys had a taste last year. It didn’t go their way but you learn from those experiences and they will need to as we’re playing a very good Saracens team.
“Looking back to my days at Wasps, I can’t remember anyone who ever shied away from the occasion, but I can remember players who were inspired. For Lawrence Dallaglio, Simon Shaw, Josh Lewsey and Joe Worsley, all big name England internationals, Twickenham was their second home.
“The confidence you got from being around them was tremendous and in our team we’ve got Tom Wood, Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Lee Dickson and Luther Burrell, who’ve all had good experiences with England at Twickenham this season and who’ll galvanise the others.
“It’s a special time for Northampton and we’ve got a massive week ahead. I did it as a player and I want to do it as a coach now and this is our opportunity. We need to leave nothing in the tank.”
King’s impact since arriving from Clermont last summer to replace long serving Saints backs guru Paul Grayson has been instant.
Northampton have topped the Premiership try-scoring charts for the first time since 2004 and their never-say-die spirit, not dissimilar to King’s great Wasps side, was epitomised when they defeated Leicester with 14 men.
King, 39, who learned his coaching trade under an array of world-class coaches including Warren Gatland, Edwards, Sir Ian McGeechan and, latterly, Vern Cotter, added: “It’s been good being back in England.
“I had six amazing years in France but the time was right to return and (Saints boss) Jim Mallinder just told me to put a slightly different perspective on how rugby should be played and coached.
“It’s been pleasing to score so many tries and we’re starting to get a good balance between backs and forwards. Dorian West has done a great job with the pack, which is one of the best in the country, and some of our interplay has been outstanding, with Tom Wood’s winning try against Leicester the culmination.
“I’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic coaches and I want to take the best bits of all of them and formulate my own philosophy. It’s been a privilege and now I want to make this club as good as it can be.”
Saints fly-half Stephen Myler has been a beneficiary, his metronomic kicking and increasingly authoritative play putting him line for a call-up for England’s forthcoming tour of New Zealand.
King said: “Stephen’s been a fantastic Premiership player for some years and, hopefully, I’ve just brought a bit of a fresh dimension for him. I hope he can get tangible reward for the work he’s put in.”
NEALE HARVEY
