Thame happy to show his worth in Saints' win against Tigers
Toby Thame says he is loving 'trying to prove to the coaches what kind of player' he is.
The centre produced a big performance in Saints' 39-19 PREM Rugby Cup win against Leicester Tigers at DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.
Thame was a force on both sides of the ball, making some huge hits and also starring in attack as he notched a 27th-minute try.
He has had to be patient as England ace Fraser Dingwall and Scotland star Rory Hutchinson have kept hold of the centre shirts at Saints so far this season.
But trying to prove his worth is a challenge Thame is enjoying.
"I am happy," said the Saints Academy product. "Any minutes in this shirt are valuable and that's what the PREM Cup is so good for: giving me minutes in the shirt because I've obviously got two internationals in front of me in Dingers and Hutch.
"I'm loving every minute, trying to prove to the coaches what kind of player I am."
On the dominant bonus-point win against Tigers, Thame said: "What a feeling that is! It was amazing to be out there and get a win against Leicester. It never gets old.
"I felt like the ball was obviously bouncing our way but we've trained as a group for the past four or five months so we know who we're playing with and we've drilled our shape so well that it just stuck. You could see how good we are when it does."
Thame, who turned 23 on November 8, was actually the oldest centre in action for Saints against Tigers as he teamed up with Henry Lumley and then Will Catley.
"In the second half, you look around and you're like 'oh my God'," he said.
"We play a youngies v oldies football game and I think the split is at 19 years old, which is mad.
"I think we're probably the youngest team in the PREM at the moment so it's unbelievable.
"I don't know whether it's their age or their youth that gives them (the teenagers) that freedom of expression, but I hope this team gives them the confidence to express themselves as the players they are rather than having to conform and go into their shell."
England Under-20s fly-half Hugh Shields helped to run the show for Saints.
And Thame said: "I'm so proud of Hughie - that's the best I've seen him play.
"His calmness and composure to move the forwards around the pitch and be looking for space at the same time with some of those crossfield kicks was incredible."
Saints had lost their opening two PREM Rugby Cup matches, suffering defeats at Saracens and Harlequins in September.
But they bounced back in style against Leicester.
"We had a tough start with that massive scoreline down at Saracens (Saints lost 96-42 on September 5) so it's nice to see we've learned some things about how when momentum changes we can stop that flow and stick to our fundamentals," Thame said.
Saints now look forward to a weekend off before travelling to Newcastle Red Bulls for a cup clash on November 21.
When asked about his plans after the win against Tigers, Thame said: "We've got a week off now so I'm going to go down and watch my house-mate (Henry Pollock) play at Twickenham and I might have a couple of beers, I reckon!"