Returning Saints prop Hobbs-Awoyemi tipped to play for England

Hobbs-Awoyemi is now back at Northampton having left the club for London Irish in 2016.

The 26-year-old prop established himself with Irish, helping them to return to England's top flight.

Irish currently sit eighth in the Gallagher Premiership this season after an impressive run of form before Covid-19 brought a halt to the action back in March.

And Hobbs-Awoyemi is now starting to realise some of the potential he showed after joining the Saints Academy at the age of 16.

He was a prominent player at age group level, helping England Under-20s to Junior World Championship glory in 2013 and 2014 while with Saints.

But he wasn't able to get the first-team game time he wanted at Franklin's Gardens, making just four appearances, all of which came from the bench.

The Northampton-born forward was unable to displace the likes of Alex Corbisiero and the Waller brothers, Alex and Ethan, and consequently headed to Irish in search of more minutes.

But Hobbs-Awoyemi, who had played for Northampton Casuals and Wellingborough before joining the Saints Academy at the age of 16, will now be heading back to Saints.

The 26-year-old will compete with Alex Waller, Francois van Wyk, Nick Auterac and Manny Iyogun for a starting berth.

Scotland prop Reid, who left Saints this summer without getting the chance to play for the club, knows Hobbs-Awoyemi from his time at London Irish.

And Reid said: "Danny is a great signing.

"I think he could do something really special with Saints because his family is in Northampton, all his friends are there.

"I say watch this space and I see him playing for England, I really do.

"When he gets a few games under his belt for Northampton Saints and he has the right fitness and the right coaching, I think he can definitely play for England.

"I think he's a great signing.

"He was at London Irish with myself and I just like his attitude and the way he is.

"He's laid back and he does need a bit of pushing that he will get at Northampton, and he will do well.

"He's kind of a wildcard for them."

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