Ex-Ealing duo are tipped to be 'great signings' for Saints
Tom Collins has backed two of his former Ealing Trailfinders team-mates to be ‘great signings’ for Saints.
Loosehead prop Lefty Zigiriadis and back row forward Josh Taylor made the step up to the Gallagher PREM from Elior Champ Rugby this summer.
The duo had been key figures for an Ealing team that finished top of England’s second tier last season, claiming 26 wins from as many matches, racking up an eye-watering points difference of plus 688 as they finished 30 points clear of second-placed Bedford Blues.
Now Zigiriadis and Taylor will look to take their Trailfinders success to Saints, who claimed PREM glory last season.
And former Saints wing Collins, who left Ealing to join ambitious National League 2 East outfit Oundle this summer, believes they have what it takes to shine at the top level.
"They're great players,” Collins said.
"They were great at Ealing, played a lot of rugby - Josh Taylor was player of the year last year.
"It will be interesting to see how they go at that level, but I think they're great signings for Saints.
"I'm all about lads who want to improve and get better, and they are young and they'll be keen as mustard to prove themselves at that level.
"They really deserve it with how they performed last year.”
Phil Dowson and his fellow Saints coaches have established a strong culture at Saints.
And Collins feels Zigiriadis and Taylor also fit the bill in that respect.
"Dows and (Sam) Vesty are massive on that culture and Saints have been so lucky to have a good crop,” Collins said.
"I was probably an older one of that group coming through, with players who have come through the Academy and been together since the age of 11.
"That culture is already instilled in you, and guys like Lefty and JT will buy into it and be fully involved from the start.”