Collins confident he can make challenge to claim Saints’ full-back shirt

DETERMINED - Tom Collins impressed at full-back during Saints' LV= Cup defeat to Leicester Tigers on Saturday

With Ben Foden ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Collins, James Wilson and new signing Ahsee Tuala will compete for the full-back slot.

Collins was given the nod at Leicester last weekend, producing a solid performance in a 17-8 LV= Cup defeat at Welford Road.

And the 20-year-old is now setting his sights on more starts as he bids to make the starting role his.

“I’ve not had the greatest year being a bit frustrated with injury,” said Collins, who recently turned out for Championship side Moseley in a bid to regain match sharpness.

“For me it’s just about staying fit, getting some form together and hopefully I can get some game time to try to prove to the coaches that I can play.”

Collins is eager to keep his place in the side for Saturday’s final LV= Cup pool match, against Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens.

And he said: “It’s always good playing at the Gardens.

“It will be a great game against Wasps and I’m sure some of the lads will be coming out giving their hardest to get the win.”