Alex King can help Northampton Saints be kings of England

Alex King is the man to end Northampton‘s reputation as the nearly men of English rugby, according to two men who have worked with the ‘Wycombe Wiper’ at first hand.
The spectacular manner in which Saints contrived to tumble out of Europe a fortnight ago only reinforced the impression that a spark is needed at Franklin’s Gardens.
Now Clermont skills coach and former Wasps fly-half King has been given the job of doing just that.
Saints centre George Pisi played under King during his season with Clermont – the only Saints player with previous experience of his coaching – while Tom Voyce played alongside the fly-half during Wasps’ glory days.
And the pair are convinced that King, previously touted as a candidate for England‘s coaching set-up after his work in the Massif Centrale, will fine-tune the Saints to perform under the highest pressure when he joins as backs coach this summer.
For Pisi, the move could prove particularly fruitful, after he has stalled somewhat following a stellar first season in the East Midlands.
Pisi said: “Alex played a lot of Premiership rugby and having experienced his coaching before I’m sure he’ll bring something different to the Saints.
“Working out in France is a bit different to working here  but I’m sure he’ll bring the skills he has learned out there to Saints.
“He’s had that experience of winning things with Wasps as well as a lot of experience in the Heineken Cup. And it’s that winning attitude that he will bring to Saints.
“He is one of those coaches who loves to use the ball which I am excited about from a personal perspective.
“When we were out in France he loved it if guys wanted to have a crack and he gave players the confidence to try and beat players.
“There was a lot of skill work, making sure all those basic skills were well-drilled so that in a pressurised situation they would stand up.
“He’s one of those guys who you respect on the field given all his experience and then off the field he can be one of the lads when he needs to be.
“I enjoyed working with him before, he liked us to put width on the ball and I am sure he is going to be a good addition – it’ll be exciting next year.
“All that stuff fits in well with how we do things at the Saints and how I like to play the game so hopefully it will help me.”
While Pisi has first-hand experience of King’s skill-focused coaching, Voyce was quick to point out his decision-making during a 12-year playing career in which he picked up three Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups.
Now at London Welsh, Voyce started alongside King in both successful European Cup finals, and insists that whoever has the Saints fly-half jersey next season, be it Ryan Lamb, Stephen Myler or a newcomer, they couldn’t hope for a better mentor.
He added: “I’m pleased to see Alex has gone to Northampton.
“I know in the past Wasps had been looking to get him back, but I think there is always a danger when you go back that it can tarnish your reputation.
“I expect him to do a great job with Saints, and he’s the sort of person who will really help someone like Ryan Lamb.
“His decision-making was a real strength, and when he played he was a great leader.
“He had all the skills but the key was that he knew when to play and when not to, and for someone like Ryan that could really help.  I remember in the Hein-eken Cup final in 2007 when our lineout was struggling he was the one who changed things in terms of our tactical kicking.
“He read the game so well, so it’s not a surprise that he has succeeded at coaching.
“I don’t think it was his plan to go into coaching, but his playing career was cut short by injury, and I think it was more to do with having unfinished business that he decided to stay involved.”
He might have come into coaching more by chance than design but, in King, Saints might have found the man with the winning mentality to turn things around.
PAUL EDDISON