Jim Mallinder, the Director of Rugby for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union side the Northampton Saints believes his side’s 10-9 win against Ulster in the Heineken Cup must set the standards for the team from now on, as they keep alive their challenge for trophies on both fronts. The Jimmies inflicted the first defeat of the season on Ulster at Ravenhill after the Irish side had beaten them 25-6 at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend in the reverse fixture.
Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, Mallinder made no secret of the fact that they had been deserving of the criticism that they had been getting for quite some time; but added that it showed the whole team what they are capable of and it must be ensured that the bar they set during the match against the Irish side is maintained. The Northampton Saints boss said that there are highs and there are lows in professional sports, but after last weekend’s spanking at the hands of Ulster when they were the second best side on the pitch by quite some margin, last night’s win comes as extremely pleasing for both the players and the fans.
He mentioned that the best thing about the players was that they didn’t take the loss to their hearts, and they knew they are a talented bunch and waited for an opportunity to prove their worth, and when they got the chance, they duly delivered. He also stated that the huge win Ulster managed against The Saints wasn’t of much help for them as sometimes, the press can build things up as everything is very good for a side and sometimes, it comes back to backfire on them.
The Northampton Saints will now travel to Glasgow to take on the Glasgow Warriors in their last match of Pool 4.
