Being a back-up player is so alien to Saints utility man Dickson

The 27-year-old arrived at Northampton from Otago last summer, but has seen his first-team game time limited by the form of Stephen Myler.

Dickson has been utilised at fly-half in the LV= Cup and started an Aviva Premiership game at Worcester at full-back in November, but that, and a smattering of appearances as a replacement, has been the extent of his involvement.

It is an unfamiliar position to be in for Dickson, who was the captain of Otago’s ITM Cup team in 2012 and led the province’s points scoring during his five years there.

And he said: “I’d have to be honest and say I usually was first choice back home, so this part has been a bit frustrating, but different as well.

“I haven’t managed to get a lot of game time under my belt in the past six weeks so it has been a bit of a change-up, but I’ve just got to keep working hard and have faith in myself.”

Dickson has done little wrong when he has started for Saints, racking up a total of 35 points in the LV= Cup clashes with Gloucester and London Irish, and putting in a solid showing at Worcester.

He will now hope to continue making a good impression in the game at Newport on Saturday and against Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens a week later.

And he said: “The next two weeks are an opportunity to try to push for a place in the first team.

“In this competition you’re probably going to have to do something pretty good to get in the first team because the boys are going really well at the moment.

“Everyone will be looking to put in a really strong performance.”