West aims to help Northampton pack improve

Loosehead prop Tom West is relishing the task of filling one of the gaps left by departed Northampton Saints greats in the new season ahead.

Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Moon and Sama Matavesi all left following last season's Premiership title win, while front rowers Alex and Ethan Waller retired.

Saints start the defence of their title with an away game at Bath - the team they beat in last season's final - on 20 September following a final warm-up against Bedford Blues on Friday.

"I hope to keep pushing the position on with the two other lads, Tarek (Haffar) and Manny (Iyogun) and see where we get to," West told BBC Radio Northampton.

"If we can make that position as strong as possible, share that workload and improve every week, that's going to be the best thing for the team."

West, who previously played 78 games for Wasps and also had a spell with Leicester Tigers, is a student of the 'art of scrummaging' and is enjoying adding to his skills with the help of Saints forwards coach Matt Ferguson.

"I've been quite fortunate with the scrum coaches I've had, so trying to add knowledge from him and adapt and take little hints here and there is great," the 28-year-old said.

"I'll try and look for things, help boys out, see what I can see and how we can get better as a pack."

He feels he has settled in well during pre-season and said: "Franklin's Gardens is always a great place to come, it's easily the best pitch in the league by a mile, the atmosphere is amazing."

Saints - and West - will be reunited with a familiar face against Bedford, whose forwards coach is now their former player Tom Cruse.

"I played with him for four or five years at Wasps and can't wait to have a challenge against a pack that he's put together," West added.