Myler in form of his life, says Saints boss Mallinder

IN THE FORM OF HIS LIFE - Saints fly-half Stephen Myler (picture: Linda Dawson)

Myler has shone with ball in hand and from the tee this season, steering his side to five wins in eight games.

The fly-half has an 87 per cent kicking accuracy in the Aviva Premiership and has been similarly impressive in the Heineken Cup.

The arrival of attack coach Alex King from Clermont Auvergne during the summer has clearly had an impact on Myler’s game.

And Mallinder admits he’s never seen the former Salford City Reds player, who joined Saints in 2006, play as well as he currently is.

“He’s playing really, really well, probably the best we’ve seen him play,” said the Northampton boss. “A lot of that comes from being secure in your role and having game time out there.

“This is his last big game for us for a couple of weeks. We’ll be giving him a minute because I don’t think we’ve actually brought him off in any of the games this season.

“He’s been fantastic for us, guiding the players around the pitch and making good opportunities. A lot is coming from him and he makes it looks very easy.”

Myler has seen off a number of rivals for the No.10 shirt during his time at Saints, with Shane Geraghty and Ryan Lamb among the men to fall foul of the 29-year-old’s assured approach.

Mallinder recently admitted he had ‘learned a lesson’ about his fly-half role and believes Myler is benefiting from being the overwhelming first choice.

“You’ve always got to have players who can play in that position,” he said. “It’s not easy.

“You can’t just have one player who plays in that position because if he gets injured or if he gets selected to play for England you need someone who is going to step up.

“We’ve got a number who can play in that position: James Wilson is good for us there and Glenn Dickson, who started the season well playing a lot of games for the Wanderers.

“Glenn has been injured most recently but I’m delighted to say he’s back and fit and raring to go again.

“You need players who can play in that position but for Stephen it’s helped him being that No.1.”