Boss Mallinder’s praise for Saints’ Academy graduates

STAR PERFORMER - Jamie Elliott was outstanding for Saints in their win at Bath on Saturday (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Jim Mallinder has hailed Saints’ Academy graduates for starring during the Six Nations.

Jamie Elliott, Tom Stephenson and Mike Haywood led the way in Saturday’s superb 21-13 success at Bath.

All three are products of the Northampton youth system and have gone on to get plenty of experience under their belts in recent seasons.

Wing Elliott, who was named man of the match at The Rec, now has 83 Saints appearances to his name, while Haywood is just three games away from a century.

Stephenson has already played 15 times this season and outshone Sam Burgess and England’s Kyle Eastmond last weekend.

The talented trio have helped make up for the loss of George North Dylan Hartley and Luther Burrell to international duty.

And Mallinder said: “The lads who are stepping in for us, the young Northampton Academy lads, are excelling.

“Jamie Elliott came in for us on Saturday and was outstanding, Tom Stephenson didn’t look out of place in the centre and Mikey Haywood at hooker had a cracking game as well.

“We’ve got players now who are used to playing at the top level.”