'It would be a dream' - talented Saints teen Pater eyes European debut

Pater doesn't turn 19 until next month but he has already been able to make a good impression in the black, green and gold first team, having collected five appearances so far.

He came off the bench to make his debut in a Gallagher PREM game at Gloucester on the final day of last season and has collected four appearances so far this season, three in the PREM Rugby Cup and one in the PREM.

Now he has been named on the bench for this weekend's clash with Scarlets at a sold-out cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

He was with the England Under-20s squad when he found out the news on Wednesday and flew back home on Thursday.

And Pater will be desperate to get some more senior minutes under his belt on Sunday as Saints bid to book a home knockout tie.

"It would be a dream really, getting my Champions Cup debut," Pater said.

"I get no finer enjoyment than playing at Franklin's Gardens.

"When I played in those PREM Rugby Cup games, I just wanted to play more in that environment."

He added: "All of my appearances have been really enjoyable so far.

"They make it so easy: the coaches at Saints. Transition is easy from the Academy straight into the senior environment.

"The boys are all so welcoming and I guess it's just rugby at the end of the day. That's what they always say to us.

"It's just enjoyable to play in those games and get more and more exposure."

Pater will wear the No.22 shirt on Sunday as he helps to provide cover at full-back and fly-half.

"I'm trying to become that 10, 15 - that's my aim," he said.

"I've played against Tigers in the PRC at 10 and been involved with England around 10, 15 so I'm just pushing for that."

Pater has been able to learn plenty from another man who plays 10 and 15 for Saints.

"Furbs (George Furbank) is unbelievable, class," Pater said.

"I grew up in the same club as him because I was with Huntingdon Stags and went to Shelford later.

"He's an unbelievable player, sees the game so well, so I like to learn from him and he's a nice guy as well."

Pater also takes inspiration from the fact that Edoardo Todaro has shot onto the scene in the Saints first team this season.

Pater and Todaro, who has already made his debut for Italy, only signed their first professional contracts with Saints ahead of this season.

"I'm good mates with Edoardo," Pater said. "He's in the same year group as me so you see that it's attainable and it kind of just pushes you on to want to get involved.

"It's definitely achievable and it just gives you more motivation to do well because you know you're involved and you're valued.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at the moment. I'm really enjoying it."

While Todaro started against European champions Union Bordeaux Bègles at Stade Chaban-Delmas last Sunday, Pater was also in attendance as he was a travelling reserve.

And he said: "It was unbelievable.

"I went to Pau as well and they were both unbelievable experiences.

"The French just do it so well. Everyone buys in and they all just love it.

"It changes games for them, I think. Home games and away games are so different."

Talking of home games, Pater will hope to be involved for England Under-20s when they play a Six Nations fixture against Wales Under-20s at the Gardens on Friday, February 6.

"I've got that noted," he said. "We'll see, but hopefully.

"It's really exciting and obviously a big step up (to be playing for the Under-20s) but a lot of the lads I've played with before in the Under-18s and 19s are involved so it makes that transition a lot easier."