Fotuali’i wants Saints to rediscover ruthless streak

Jim Mallinder’s men were beaten 20-16 at Adams Park on Sunday, bringing them back to earth after a stunning 53-6 success against Gloucester nine days earlier.

The defeat to Wasps saw Saints enjoy plenty of possession and territory, but struggle to break down the determined home defence.

And scrum-half Fotuali’i, who set up Ben Foden’s late score, knows he and his team-mates must rediscover the ruthless streak they showed on the opening day.

“It was very disappointing and it was hard to lose like we did,” said the Samoan No.9. “It was a very tough game. Wasps came out firing and were strong for the whole 80 minutes.

“The first half they forced the errors, defensively they were solid and we didn’t take our opportunities when they arose. That’s rugby and we’ve got to correct that.”

Saints were struck by two quickfire tries in the second half as Ashley Johnson and Tom Varndell helped Wasps come back from 9-3 down to go 11 points up.

And Fotuali’i feels his side failed to regroup quickly enough after Varndell’s 61st-minute effort.

“We had a lead on the board and they got an intercept try there, but even then we weren’t under too much pressure,” he said.

“But there were things that happened after that which led to another try. We didn’t regroup from there.

“We tried to get quick ball and put them under pressure, but they’re effective around the breakdown, slowing it down, and across the field they were solid there.”