Mallinder's Saints momentum stopped by enforced break

But that certainly wasn’t the case for Harry Mallinder.

In fact, the talented full-back was just starting to get back in the groove following a lengthy injury lay-off when another unwelcome spell on the sidelines arrived.

Mallinder had been back with a bang after more than a year out, scoring three tries in just five appearances.

His return was marked with a memorable score against Benetton in January, prompting an outpouring of jubilation at Franklin’s Gardens.

And he also went on to dot down against Bristol Bears and Saracens, issuing a striking reminder of the real class the player possesses.

But after helping Saints to a crucial win at Worcester Warriors in March, Mallinder was forced to put his feet up again.

He has of course been training at home in self-isolation while also completing modules as part of his six-year degree, but there is no rugby to take part in.

And that is a frustration for a player who was going from strength to strength after making that long-awaited comeback.

“I was really enjoying playing regularly again,” Mallinder said.

“When you have such an extended period away from it, you savour every minute of it.

“I was looking forward to pushing on.

“I really felt like I was progressing week on week.

“So I’m just desperate, as everyone is, to get back to it.

“Hopefully we can push on and enjoy the rest of the season in whatever form that happens to be.”

So what has Mallinder enjoyed most about being back in action?

“I couldn’t really pick out one thing - it’s everything,” said the 23-year-old.

“It’s the little bits you get from training with the team, being back with the lads and being able to push yourself physically again with the group and being back with the group.

“But it’s also playing at the weekend and being back in front of the fans and I love competing, I love the excitement around the game and the array of emotions you go through in a game.

“It’s been great playing again and I’ve loved every single minute of it.”

And Mallinder has loved nothing more than the moment he fought his way over the line against Benetton in a Champions Cup pool match that saw him make his comeback.

He said: “You don’t have many times in a game to reflect and think about stuff because everything’s happening so quickly but in that moment after that try, just the reaction I got from the team - all the players came towards me and it was a really nice moment for me because of everything I’d been through.

“I will carry that with me forever.”

It had been a long road to full recovery for Mallinder, who sustained a serious knee injury in a Challenge Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne in October 2018.

He also suffered a setback that forced him to spend even longer on the sidelines, eventually making his return from injury for the Wanderers after 14 months out.

And he hasn’t looked back ever since.

“I went through phases,” he explained when asked how he found being forced to adopt a watching brief.

“I hate missing out and not being involved so you could call me a terrible watcher and at the start (of the injury period) I had to really remove myself from it.

“I’m so involved and I just needed a bit of space from it at the time to come to terms with my situation.

“As time progressed I just picked it up bit by bit and started doing a bit of analysis for the lads in meetings and it really helped.

“Then obviously when you’re back in, it’s awesome, it’s back to work.”

The desperation to see Mallinder back in black, green and gold grew as the style of rugby Chris Boyd wanted Saints to play became clear.

It appeared to suit the skillful Mallinder down to the ground.

And he has loved the new game plan.

“I think it’s exciting and I’m really happy to be part of it,” said the Academy graduate.

“I’m really excited to push on.

“We had a good start to the season and I’m just excited more than anything for us to push on and progress and hopefully compete for trophies in the future.”