Saints prop deserved a new contract for this outrageous sidestep alone
Northampton Saints announced today that 21-year-old loosehead prop Emmanuel Iyogun has signed a new long-term deal at Franklin’s Gardens.
Iyogun became one of Northampton’s key forwards last season, starting in the Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Leicester Tigers, but it was right at the beginning of the season where he pulled off something for his highlights reel.
It actually came in a preseason game against Bedford Blues, who he would also represent last season, following a break through the middle of the field. One on one with the fullback, the England under-20 international stepped off his right to send his opposite man one way before unleashing a left footed step to beat him completely. Unfortunately he was dragged down before the line, but this sort of footwork should actually be illegal for a prop. Iyogun may not necessarily be the biggest prop out there, but it pays off when he has the speed and mobility to produce runs like this. Take a look:
Behave @EmmanuelIyogun 😵 https://t.co/4yS0k4M4TY pic.twitter.com/BvJg7phBy4
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) September 7, 2021
“I’m really excited to sign on again with Saints,” the prop said after signing this new deal. “Northampton has always been my Club, and choosing to stay within this environment, as part of such a tight-knit squad, was an easy decision to make.
“I trust the Club’s coaches completely; they helped me make the call to switch into the front row when I joined the Senior Academy, and have been with me every step of the way since to support my development.
“I still have a lot to learn but I am looking forward to hopefully repaying the faith the coaches have shown in me, and playing my part in the Club winning some silverware for our supporters in the years ahead.”
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “Without doubt Manny is a now top-level loosehead. He’s an exceptional athlete and rugby player, who will continue to develop because he has the right mindset and is determined to get better.”
