Fotuali’i enjoying Saints’ forward momentum

The Samoan was impressed with the strength of his side’s forwards in the 13-6 win at Harlequins last Friday.
Saints had the edge in the set piece as they scrapped it out to secure a second victory in as many Premiership games this season.

Fotuali’i was calling the shots at nine, making his first start for Northampton since joining from Ospreys this summer, and he was impressed with the display of the big men.

“It’s exciting, especially when they’re going so well,” he said. “They’re always going forward and it makes my job as a scrum-half (easy).

“Our job is to boss them around and give quick ball to our backline, especially with the players like Stephen Myler, Luther (Burrell), George North, who is a quality player, and Ben Foden. You’ve got to get quick ball for them to get opportunities.”

Fotuali’i is the man tasked with cajolling the pack to keep the team on the front foot, but he says he doesn’t have to impart too many words of wisdom at scrum time.

“They know their job,” he said. “The coaching staff have made it really simple for them and they all know what it is.

“I’ve just got to boss them a bit more, especially when they get tired. We all get tired but it’s about outworking teams, especially with our forwards with Samu Manoa, Sam Dickinson, great players.

“As long as we play nice and tight as a team, we should finish teams off.”