Craig hails ‘unbelievable’ Saints team-mate Haywood

James Craig says Saints team-mate Mike Haywood is an ‘unbelievable’ talent.
Mike Haywood (picture: Sharon Lucey)Mike Haywood (picture: Sharon Lucey)
Mike Haywood (picture: Sharon Lucey)

Haywood picked up the club’s young player of the season prize on Monday night, having impressed in his 28 appearances during the current campaign.

The 23-year-old has now played more than 100 times for Saints and is competing with skipper Dylan Hartley for a starting place.

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Haywood was one of the best players on the pitch at Welford Road last Saturday, helping Jim Mallinder’s men into a 9-8 lead at half-time before they eventually lost 22-14.

And Craig, who also started that game, said: “Mike’s putting a lot of pressure on Dylan. Whenever Dylan’s away he steps up every week and he’s outstanding.

“He put a great shot in (Julian) Salvi last Saturday and around the park he’s unbelievable.

“He’s an unbelievable player and he’s going to get better and better.”

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Haywood’s huge hit on Salvi, which was reminiscent of a Samu Manoa special, helped Saints turned the tide against Tigers.

And Craig enjoyed the booming tackle, which helped secure a penalty for Saints.

“It gave us a bit of a lift because we were under the cosh a bit and it was maybe a turning point in the first half to get us back into it,” said the lofty lock.

“Eventually we lost the lead but Mike was playing unbelievably well.

“Hopefully he’ll get a good run-out, if not starting, off the bench in the (Aviva Premiership play-off) semi-final against Saracens on Saturday.”