This weekend, former Northampton Saints player Tom Wood has been lined up to represent the Barbarians against their former club. From a fans perspective, what does this mean?
For years Wood donned the green, gold and black representing the club on over 160 occasions, best remembered for his last-minute winner against Leicester Tigers in the 2014 Premiership Semi-Final. A memory for all fans which will go down in club folk law. Wood went on to represent England and played at two world cups. For the fans, Tom Wood showed both sides, a natural ferocity on the pitch and soft centred side off it, willing to impart any knowledge he could onto the younger generations. Wood represented the Barbarians against Spain during the summer, an organisation which embodies everything rugby should be about, free-flowing rugby on the field and fantastic culture off it.
The opportunity to watch the Barbarians is one which only comes round a handful of times, let alone, against the club you support and players who previously represented the Saints. For Northampton Saints, it is certainly an occasion you do not want to miss and a fabulous way to give a Northampton great a final send-off he deserves.
Undoubtably, there will be a bittersweet feel around the Gardens when he represents the Baa Baas in front of the fans who have adored him for so many years. Playing against a host of old teammates will be a first for Wood since his retirement. The combative backrower will be sure to leave a late hit on one of his old teammates, a trademark play during his stellar career. Games like this do not come around very often at all, very few players represent the Barbarians, let alone against their former club and in front of their adoring fans. Wood was player who gave so much to the club, therefore, a warm reception off the loyal Gardens faithful is certainly to be expected. It is sure to be a fantastic spectacle.
The opportunity to watch the Barbarians is one which only comes round a handful of times, let alone, against the club you support and players who previously represented them. For Northampton Saints supporters, it is certainly an occasion you do not want to miss and a fabulous way to give a Northampton great a final send-off he deserves.
