Diggin earns Mallinder praise

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The hosts had dominated a fast and furious opening spell and went into a 10-0 lead, with Diggin striking twice.

"He's only small but he's got a big heart. We've got a bit of competition there and he's keeping some key personnel out of the team," Mallinder said. "He's a local Northampton lad who went to the boys' school down the road and what he's doing is fantastic."

Mallinder also backed Foden for a place in Martin Johnson's England squad after he created a try and scored one for the second week running after doing the same against bottom club Bristol.

He added: "He backed up last week's performance. It was a fantastic performance and then he has the ability to switch to scrum-half when Lee Dickson got a little bit of cramp near the end.

"He picks lines really well, he's got pace and he's got strength as well. He's got the ability to fend off that first tackler and stay on his feet and has a good kicking game as well."

Mallinder said he will be surprised if Johnson does not pick Foden when he names his RBS 6 Nations squad on Wednesday.

"I don't know what he's looking at but I think he's got to come into his consideration," said the Northampton boss.

Mallinder refused to blame goalkicker Myler, whose uncharacteristic off-day made Saints' task harder.

"He has been fantastic for us. It's not an issue, he had a bad day at the office in terms of his kicking but he played well otherwise and we came through it," he said.