IT’S A MUST WIN GAME FOR US – MICHAEL PATERSON

The game between Northampton and Leicester Tigers which will see Northampton as visitors, will be the first East Midlands derby for Michael Paterson.


The flanker, ahead of the derby, has said that the game is a must win game for them. He was part of the Northampton Saints team that went on to concede a late score last Friday in their game against Newcastle Falcons.

With five minutes into the game, Saints had battle valiantly, and thus secured a 16-15 lead with no more than 5 minutes left on the clock. This was despite the absence of prop, Kieran Brookes who had been sent off just two minutes before half time.

They could not keep the lead for so long or even go on to extend it as NikiGoneva crossed before the extras were kicked in by Joel Hodgson.

Paterson and his fellow squad mates will on Saturday, visit Welford Road in the game against Leicester Tigers and for the flanker, he believes it would be a lively game for them and a vital one at that especially since it was between a close rival of theirs.

“It’s a must-win game for us, considering the manner in which we lost last week, which was bitterly disappointing,”

“We have to keep our discipline for 80, maybe 85 minutes and play with 15 men on the field.

“We have to make sure we stay disciplined and everyone does their jobs. If we go there and upset a Tigers team, you never know what might happen.”

Paterson also talked about the significance of the fixture itself, noting that Welford Road was a tough place, one where not many teams visit and come off with a win.

He however believes that their away support and the atmosphere there would help them.

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