Waller salutes talented young Saints duo

Freeman, who is just 19, started at full-back, while 20-year-old Sleightholme was making his return from injury after more than a year out, lining up on the wing.

Both players caught the eye as Saints secured a 22-17 Gallagher Premiership success at the Ricoh Arena.

And co-captain Waller said: "I was really impressed with Tommy and Ollie Sleightholme.

"I was speaking to (Saints assistant coach) Matt Ferguson on the sidelines and saying how they really impressed me.

"They're relatively young boys.

"Sleights had been out for more than a year so it was really good to see him back, and also Tommy. We got a glimpse of what he's about previously and he showed what he can do.

"We're really happy with the strength in the squad and especially with those young boys stepping up and putting their hand up for selection.

"It's really good for us."

Saints were 22-0 up at half-time against Wasps but eventually had to hold on late on as the hosts came roaring back.

And ahead of Saturday's home game against Newcastle Falcons, Waller knows there is plenty of work to be done.

"A win's a win and it's two on the bounce now away from home," Waller said.

"We're pleased with the win but there's plenty of things to work on, especially in terms of keeping that pressure on in the second half.

"We went away from ourselves a little bit there in the second half but six months ago we'd have lost that so there's an improvement there in the way we can see out games.

"But I have to reiterate that the second half wasn't the kind of standard we want to set."