Saints centre Rob Horne tells Ben Gibson about his move from Australia…
New signing Rob Horne said his first game for Saints has become one of his “proud rugby memories”.
Australian international Horne came from the New South Wales Waratahs but for his first taste of Premiership Rugby found himself thrown into the cauldron of the East Midlands derby – Saints first home fixture.
“What better way to make you debut than a local derby like that and at home in such an amazing ground, it was packed, and a great atmosphere.
“Getting the win helps get the crowd behind you. It really was one of my proud rugby memories. It was a good response from the previous week from the whole squad. We are working hard every day to improve and get better and see what we can do.
“It’s important to play well at home… that’s the challenge for us, to put those types of performances out there.”
The 28-year-old, who can play wing or centre, has spent all of his club career playing for Waratahs and has scored 130 points from his 101 appearances.
He has also amassed 34 appearances for his national team scoring 20 points and featured in the Rugby World Cup.
At Saints Horne immediately struck up an exciting partnership with fellow centre Luther Burrell.
Horne said: “He has been outstanding. He has been awesome. He has helped me settle in and helped me get my head around the details of the way Saints play. I have just been learning every day, so I am up to speed. I don’t want to let anyone down on the weekend. He has been great and it’s been awesome to see him play and dominate in games.
“I have found it really easy to gel with him on and off the field and that is quite similar with the rest of the guys.
“It’s a good bunch of guys here and I have felt really welcomed. I feel comfortable already and I just want to do the jersey proud when I run out there.”
Horne has settled in well with the team but what about Northampton?
“It was probably the most difficult decision in my rugby career. I have spent my whole career from where I was from and I enjoyed that and was proud to play for my home state and country. It came a time when I felt ready for a different experience and Saints really appealed to myself and my family. To join a club that has so much history, pride and passion was really the selling point to me.
“I chose Northampton because they have had recent success and are hungry for more and that made my decision much easier.
“Once you have decided you’re going you need to decide where you’re going and that takes a bit of time. Once we had decided I got to a point where I felt happy and felt a connection straight away with the guys here. It was pretty quick after that.”
Not even the English weather seems to dent Horne’s enthusiasm.
“It’s a different experience and that’s what we are after. Having played my whole career at one club I am enjoying something different.”
