Burrell: Saints players do not want to be rested on derby day

Luther Burrell (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Jim Mallinder could opt to rest men for the game against Leicester as his side have already secured top spot in the Aviva Premiership.

They will face the fourth-placed side in a play-off semi-final on May 23, with the final at Twickenham a week later.

But Burrell insists he and his team-mates do not want to be wrapped in cotton wool, with every one of them chomping at the big to be involved in this weekend’s east midlands derby.

“Absolutely not,” said the 27-year-old when asked if he wanted Saturday off. “It is the biggest derby in the league.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen. Every player at Northampton is desperate to play in that game.

“This week will be interesting in training to see what happens, but all we can do is prepare well as a squad.

“No matter who we play in the semi-finals, it is going to be at home and it is a tough place to come and play now.

“Hopefully we can get that consistency now. No one knows what is going to happen next week, but all we can do is focus on our jobs.”