We can claw our way into top four, says Saints boss Mallinder

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder remains confident of a top-four finish (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

And the director of rugby insists there is still plenty of belief that his team can claw their way into the Aviva Premiership top four this season.

Saints are now seven points behind fourth-placed Leicester after Saturday’s 30-27 defeat at Welford Road, where Freddie Burns landed a last-gasp match-winning penalty.

But there are still 13 league matches to play and Mallinder remains upbeat about his team’s chances of making the play-offs for the seventh successive season.

“Saturday was up there as one of our best (attacking performances),” Mallinder said.

“We’ve had some disappointments, but we’ve also had some good performances. People forget that we drew with Racing, who are a fantastic team, and we beat Exeter.

“We’ve put in some really good performances and some poor ones as well.

“It’s disappointing because Leicester get another four points and push away from us a little bit, but we’re not over halfway and we’re still determined to claw back that top-four spot.”