Tom Wood always be in my team, says Saints boss Mallinder

Tom Wood was in fine form for Saints against Glasgow on Sunday (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

And he says the flanker would be ‘in my team any day’ after impressing in Sunday’s 19-15 success against Glasgow Warriors.

Last week, Wood was left out of the England squad for the Six Nations, with new head coach Eddie Jones choosing to overlook him.

The Saints flanker had been part of England’s unsuccessful World Cup campaign, but he did put in a couple of creditable displays in that tournament and has performed well for his club.

He was at his gritty best on Sunday as he carried the fight to the Warriors.

And Mallinder said: “Tom Wood’s come back from injury and he’s just an awesome player.

“He’d be in my team any day.

“He’s just a leader, a competitor and he’s fantastic.”

Luther Burrell is another player who endured the disappointment of missing out on Jones’ squad.

And Mallinder said: “”Luther is responding well, carrying hard, defending well.

“I guess he’s just got to watch his high tackles because he’s got a tendency to step back on the inside sometimes, but he’s our defensive king and he leads by example.”