Grayson’s pride in Saints protégé Myler

Paul Grayson has admitted his pride at seeing Stephen Myler win his first England cap.
PROUD - Paul Grayson was delighted to see Stephen Myler win his first England cap (picture by Linda Dawson)PROUD - Paul Grayson was delighted to see Stephen Myler win his first England cap (picture by Linda Dawson)
PROUD - Paul Grayson was delighted to see Stephen Myler win his first England cap (picture by Linda Dawson)

And he has backed the Saints fly-half to stay in the mix for the autumn internationals campaign later this year.

Grayson brought Myler to Franklin’s Gardens from Salford City Reds in 2006 and oversaw the player’s transformation from rugby league hopeful to rugby union success story.

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It culminated with Myler, who is now second only to Grayson in Northampton’s all-time points scorers list, winning his first Test cap last Saturday.

The 28-year-old came off the bench with 14 minutes to go as England beat Argentina to seal a 2-0 Test series win, in Buenos Aires.

And Grayson, whose 19-year association with Saints came to an end last November, said: “I brought him to the club and he’s worked on his game for a number of years.

“He’s played in some pretty big games and he’s always put himself forward for selection for the Saxons.

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“In a Lions year when you’ve got overseas tours there are going to be opportunities to get in there and stake your claim. It’s fantastic and well done him.”

Grayson believes Myler will face a crucial six-week period at the start of next season as he aims to build on the South America tour.

But the Saints legend feels his former charge is more than capable of making more of a mark on the international stage.

“All you can do as a player is when you get your opportunity, take it,” he said.

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“Stephen would have been hurting post-Premiership final, but he was taken on tour and he didn’t let himself down by any stretch of the imagination.

“It was a good series win for England and he did it in front of Stuart Lancaster, who knows him from some of his Saxons stuff as well. He holds Stephen in high regard so he’s ticked the boxes.

“All he can do now is have a rest, get back to pre-season and it’s only ever going to be your club form that’s going to force you in.

“He’ll be straight back into it in September and you’ve got six weeks plus a couple of Heineken Cup games to put yourself in with a shout.

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“If (Owen) Farrell’s available, (Toby) Flood’s available, (Freddie) Burns is around and Stephen’s around there’s plenty of players shooting for one spot and one on the bench.

“There’s no reason why he can’t keep himself in the mix.”

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