Saints boss Mallinder hopeful on fitness of Wood and Collins

Wood took a blow to the knee and was forced off seven minutes from time, with Sam Dickinson coming on in his place.

Collins left the action even earlier, being withdrawn at the break after suffering a shoulder injury.

But Mallinder is confident neither problem is too serious and is hopeful of having both available for Friday’s game against Castres at Franklin’s Gardens.

“He’s just got a knock to his knee,” said Mallinder of Wood. “He hobbled off but I don’t think we’re too concerned. He’s iced it up, so I’m hopeful.

“Tom Collins got a knock to his shoulder and he could have braved on but we’ve got some good cover on the bench so we made the change at half-time.”

Collins’ injury gave Fa’atoina Autagavaia the chance to show his worth during the second half.

And Mallinder, who brought the Samoan full-back in as injury cover for Ben Foden, was pleased with the new man.

“He was good,” said the Saints boss. “The rain came down at half-time so it wasn’t quite like being in Samoa, where he’d been two or three weeks ago.

“He’s a good player and I’m looking forward to seeing more from him.”