Barrington spent nine trophy-laden seasons at English rugby’s favourite villains Saracens but is now on the books at their equally unloved feeder club following his summer move from Agen.
The loosehead, who turns 35 in a fortnight, has signed a two-year deal in a player-coach capacity and is certain to add considerable value to Ampthill on and off the pitch.
Barrington has a reputation for putting smiles on faces with his fun-loving ways, whereas his new club are often sneered at as a small-time outfit with perceived ideas above their station. The walk through the Dillingham Park woods to get to the main first-team pitch is one of the main bones of contention.
“People have the same attitude about Ampthill as Saracens. With the pitch being a bit further away from the changing rooms and stuff and people hate travelling down there. I don’t think they are the most favoured club by other Champ teams,” said Barrington.
“They are similar to Saracens in the context that not everyone likes them but they don’t care because it is about them. It is a good club and I am really enjoying my time there at the moment.
“They have punched above their weight, they got promoted five years ago and have been midtable or there or thereabouts. Our goal this year is to go one better and really push. We’ll take it game by game but we’re looking to win our home games and upset a few teams away from home.”
While Barrington is entering the twilight years of his career at the coalface, the likelihood is he’ll be surrounded by lots of young talent from Saracens this season.
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