Selection dilemmas for Saints ahead of Leicester clash

Mallinder has a fully fit squad to choose from, with the exception of second row forward James Craig, who is expected to be out for another couple of weeks with a knee injury.

Saints beat Sale Sharks 33-14 at Franklin’s Gardens last Friday, with Tom Wood, Samu Manoa and Kahn Fotuali’i among those starting the game on the bench.

And Mallinder could now mix things up for the tussle with Tigers at Welford Road this weekend.

“We’ll pick a side to go up there and win,” he said. “We’ve got good players who are on form.

“They all want to play, we can’t start everyone but we’ve got some tough games coming up with the Heineken Cup following on.

“We’ll pick a side we think is strong enough to go and win at Welford Road.”

Centre Dom Waldouck is also making his way towards a first-team return having played 46 minutes in the Wanderers’ win against Newcastle on Monday night.

And Mallinder said: “It was really good to see him back. I thought he had a cracking game.

“We took him off. It was a fast, physical game and he really enjoyed getting back.

“He’s put himself back in contention now so we’ve got good strength in depth and there’s a good battle and plenty of options.”