Saints boss Mallinder aiming to mastermind a hot streak

The director of rugby has seen his side produce a largely mixed campaign so far.

Saints have yet to lose more than two successive games this season, but their only hint of a consistent patch came when they won four matches in a row between November 14 and December 5.

They have not won more than two Aviva Premiership games on the bounce this season, with good form sporadic.

Last weekend, they produced a performance packed with spirit as they beat Harlequins 27-23 at The Stoop, recovering from the humbling 24-11 home defeat against Wasps eight days earlier.

And director of rugby Mallinder said: “We have been inconsistent.

“At the beginning of the season, our defence and set piece have been very strong.

“Our attack has been something we’ve been working on and that has improved over the past few weeks. We’ve seen that from the number of tries we’ve scored.

“I was particularly pleased with a lot of our attacking play last weekend, but we did then concede a few tries as well so you’re always trying to look for a balance.

“That balance starts in training and then you take that into the weekend.”

So just why have Saints produced so many of their best performances on the back of disappointing defeats?

“It would be easy for me to say a good rollocking during the week, but it’s more than that,” Mallinder said.

“It’s the lads who were disappointed in their performance and know they can do better.

“We are aware that the Premiership is tough. You play the bottom four sides and they’re not easy games. They’re fighting for their lives, as we’ve seen.

“Everyone is capable of beating each other in this league so it’s all about preparing properly, mentally and physically, for every game and making sure you get that consistency in your performances.”

And how Saints would love a hot streak now.

They are currently seven points adrift of fourth-placed Harlequins, with the Premiership now at its halfway stage.

And ahead of Saturday’s clash with London Irish at Franklin’s Gardens, Mallinder said: “It (a run of wins) would be welcome.

“Over the past few years we’ve had some good runs.

“Really, we’ve been inconsistent this season. You win a few games and you think you’re getting on a good run of victories - and we’ve had a few good away wins - but then we’ve gone and lost the following week.

“We have got a chance (of getting on a run). We never look too far ahead and we need to win at home this weekend so we can take that into our next few games.”