Mallinder demands Saints reaction against Saracens

Jim Mallinder wants Saints to back up their Glasgow success against Gloucester (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

It will be the first time Mallinder’s men have played a game at the Gardens this season, with the new Barwell Stand now ready for action.

And Saints will be desperate to christen it with a win as they look to bounce back from Sunday’s disappointing 20-13 defeat at Sale Sharks.

It was the second loss in three Aviva Premiership games this season, and Mallinder knows his side must respond against a Saracens side who have won all of their matches so far.

“It’s a disappointing start for us, without a doubt,” said the Saints director of rugby.

“We’ve won one out of three and we’re not normally in this position. We’re normally going strong.

“We need a reaction this week but the good thing is that it’s early on in the season.

“We have got time to make it up so it’s not all doom and gloom.

“We’ve got Saracens, first proper home game of the season, new stand, so it’s going to be a cracker.”