Busy Saints jet off to Lanzarote for sunshine break

WARM WEATHER BREAK - Jim Mallinder is taking the Saints squad to Lanzarote (Picture: Steven Eaton)

Jim Mallinder, who steered his side to a 28-14 Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final win at Sale on Thursday night, is whisking his players off to Lanzarote on Monday.

The trip is designed to freshen up bodies and minds before the game at Saracens the following Sunday.

Saints face an energy-sapping conclusion to the season as they target a final four Aviva Premiership games – against Sarries, London Irish, Bath and London Wasps – and an Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final.

There is the potential of a final in Europe, which is sandwiched between the Premiership semi-finals and May 31 final, which Northampton will hope to be part of.

“We’re taking the lads away and we’re going to get some serious training in out there,” said Mallinder, with tongue firmly in cheek.

“We’ve got a big week with Saracens away and that’s going to be massive for us.

“We’ll take the squad away and it’s nice to go away on the back of a win as oppose to a loss.”