Coach Matt Ferguson says new recruit Gordon Reid was 'top of the shopping list' for Saints

The season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Alex Waller at the end of last month left Saints short of experience in the loosehead prop position.

The club has been looking to add a player to their ranks to cover their join-skipper while he is out of action, and Ferguson believes they have struck gold with the signing of Reid, who played in all four of Scotland's games at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Reid, who was left out of Gregor Townsend's squad for the Six Nations but has been in the training group, was registered to both Glasgow Warriors and Super6 side Ayrshire Bulls on a partnership deal.

But both clubs agreed to release the 41-cap front rower to move to Northampton.

The Scot and Ferguson have worked together previously at London Irish, and the Saints coach is delighted to be teaming up again with the 33-year-old.

“We’ve been really happy with how Manny Iyogun and Toby Trinder have been going with England Under-20s and Coventry respectively, but we felt like we needed some experienced support for Francois van Wyk and Ben Franks after Alex Waller’s injury," said Ferguson.

“So to get someone of Gordy’s quality, straight in from training with Scotland’s Six Nations squad, is excellent news for us.

"I worked with Gordy at London Irish – so he knows the Premiership – and I found him to be not only a very strong scrummager, but also a great character with plenty of grit.

"He was certainly top of the shopping list for us.

"He’s very much about helping others and imparting knowledge, which is a key feature of our front-row group.

"We wanted someone who was going to fit straight into our group and into the culture of Saints, so I’m stoked Gordy is here.

“We’re very grateful to both Glasgow and Ayr for releasing him.”

Reid will be available to make his Saints debut in their Gallagher Premiership clash against Wasps at the Gardens next Saturday (March 21).