It’s great to be a Northampton Saint after summer in solitary – Jon Fisher

Jon Fisher has revealed how an agonising summer training alone, following London Irish's decision to end his contract, finished in joy with a “surreal” move to Premiership champions Northampton.
Fisher's career was in doubt when a concussion sustained against Saracens on the opening day of last season failed to clear.
He was subsequently stood down, but then left in limbo as Irish elected to cut ties with him in May with two years left on his deal. But the former England U20s back rower worked his way back to full fitness under sprint guru Margot Wells and was rewarded with a contract from Saints following a month-long trial.
“It's been an interesting summer,” Fisher, 25, told The Rugby Paper. “A couple of months ago I hadn't really touched a rugby ball, I was training on my own and trying to stay in the best shape possible whilst waiting for a phone call.
“I hadn't gone back to Irish at all in the summer and I was with Margot in Guildford six days a week during June and July knowing everyone else was working their socks off with their clubs.
“There was no question in my mind I'd carry on playing, it was just good advice (to stand down) and it was common sense to take it.
“But suddenly I was training alone and although luckily there were other guys training with Margot from time to time, like Mike Brown and Danny Cipriani, they'd all go back to their clubs and I was on my own again.
“It was a lonely time, but exciting, too, knowing my fitness numbers were getting better in the gym and on the track. I had real belief that I was going to get an opportunity and was visualising getting that all-important phone call.
“Fortunately, it eventually came and it's a little surreal to think that from the position I was in two months ago, with no club and unsure where I was going, I've now got a fantastic opportunity with the Premiership champions.”
With close pal Alex Corbisiero already at Saints, Fisher's bedding-in process has been made easier and he scored a try in the rout of Gloucester on Friday night. But he is under no illusions about the task he faces staying in a multi-talented back row which can feature Test stars Tom Wood, Samu Manoa and Calum Clark.
Fisher explained: “Alex was very positive about Saints and it's important in rugby that you play with people you want to play for.
“But it's a huge challenge. Across the board, and particularly in the back row, every guy is at the top of their game and there are certain guys who set the bar high in European and world rugby.
“While that's incredibly inspiring, I'm under no illusions about the ability of the players here. It's just going to be a case of getting an opportunity anywhere in the back row and then trying to put my best foot forward.”
NEALE HARVEY
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on September 7.