The funny reason why Northampton Saints' coach Matt Ferguson converted Manny Iyogun to prop
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Northampton Saints' scrum coach Matt Ferguson gave a brilliant answer to why they decided to convert former back rower Manny Iyogun to a back rower.
The 19-year-old started Northampton Saints' Champions Cup quarter-final on Sunday after an injury crisis at the club that saw them granted an exception to sign Gloucester prop Alex Seville on loan.
The raft of injuries saw Iyogun became Saints’ only fit and available loosehead for Sunday's clash with Seville named on the bench after joining the side earlier in the week. The likes of Alex Waller, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Francois van Wyk and Nick Auterac were all unavaliable to Chris Boyd for the clash leaving the #1 jersey open for Iyogun to make his first start and just his second game for Saints.
During the game, BT Sport asked Northampton Saints scrum coach Matt Ferguson what he saw in Iyogun that made him think he could crack it as a loosehead prop for the side.
"A rather large rear is what... Excited me about him."
"I do a strange job, and I love it."
As in-match interviews go, this is right up there from @SaintsRugby scrum coach Matt Ferguson π#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/mAKvgwVaoM
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 20, 2020
“If we can say, a rather large rear. Which is what excited me about him.”
“And he’s worked incredibly hard.”
"I do a strange job, and I love it."
Iyogun is still making the transition to the front row, Ferguson explained.
“We had a process to work to, and Manny will battle through that,” said Ferguson.
Iyogun was effectively thrown into the deep end against a brutally effective Exeter Chiefs' pack on Sunday and managed to hold his own against England International Harry Williams while also winning a penalty against Wales international Tomas Francis.
The 19-year-old also put in 72 minute shift making all 10 of his attempted tackles and was applauded by both teams' management and benches when he left the pitch with even England boss Eddie Jones giving him a round of a applause.
