SCRUM-HALF Tom James is brimming with confidence as Saints aim to take down high-flying Bristol and enhance their own top four chances.
After exorcising the memory of a bitter recent home loss to Bath by defeating fellow play-off chasers Sale last weekend, James knows a follow-up victory today over the league leaders would be a huge statement ahead of the seasonal run-in.
“Top four's the target and we're more than good enough to do it. It's just about living up to it now and trying to find that consistency,” James said.
“We were massively disappointed to lose to Bath, a game we should have won, but to bounce back against Sale and win a close game like that was a positive. There are always improvements to be made but it was a gritty display and we were pleased with that.
“Sale are one of the best teams in the league who bring a very confrontational, direct style, but we dealt with that very well and were proud of our defence.
“Bristol are playing some pretty good rugby but we're confident and know that on our day we can cause teams problems. We know how dangerous they are off turnover ball and that's something we're focussing on, but it's a game we're looking forward to.”
A summer signing from Doncaster last year, James, 27, is aiming to enhance his own burgeoning reputation after doing hard yards in the lower leagues.
After leaving Sherborne School to study economics at Loughborough University, he represented the students in National One before earning a contract at Bedford in 2016.
James joined Doncaster a year later, spending three successful seasons at Castle Park before being given a top-flight chance by Saints, where he has flourished to become a regular starter despite fierce competition from England prospect Alex Mitchell.
James said: “It's been quite a long journey after three or four years in the Championship. I wasn't involved in any academies or anything like that, I went straight to Loughborough from school and was just grateful for the opportunities I got from there.
“I went to Loughborough with rugby not looking like a realistic career option but I enjoyed my time there and ended up getting a contract at Bedford. I enjoyed being involved at Donny, too, and I've got a lot to thank Steve Boden and the guys there for.
“It's great to have got this opportunity at Saints and I feel I've improved a huge amount since being here. I've really enjoyed working with (attack coach) Sam Vesty and Chris Boyd – their attention to detail is really good and I've benefitted from that.”
James adds: “Sam wants to play ambitious rugby – high tempo, go wide – and that's the type of game I love as well, so I'm really enjoying the Saints style.
“We've got four really good scrum-halves here with Mitch, Henry Taylor and Connor Tupai as well, but you want to have that good competition. It means all of you are being pushed hard, with the end goal being to be better players and be better as a club.”
While James is making hay as he prepares for his tenth Premiership match, he expresses deep concern for those he has left behind in the Championship.
With funding having been slashed and doubts over the league's future, he says: “Because Saracens are down there the league is getting recognition, and the more publicity it can get the better because the league needs much more doing to give it a boost.
“It's a tough league with a lot of quality sides and some very good players so it would be a shame to lose that second professional level from English rugby. But if the RFU continue to step back from it, it'll be very hard for those good players to stick around.”
By NEALE HARVEY
NORTHAMPTON: Furbank; Proctor, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman; Grayson, James;Waller (ct), Matavesi, Hill, Coles, Ratuniyarawa, Isiekwe, Wood, Harrison
Replacements: Haywood, Auterac, Painter, Moon, Tonks, Taylor, Francis, Mallinder,
BRISTOL: Purdy; Adeolokun, O'Conor, Leiua, Naulago;Eden, Uren; Y Thomas, Byrne, Afoa, Joyce, Vui, Luatua (c), D Thomas, Hughes.
Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Lahiff, Holmes, Heenan, Kessell, Bedlow, Morahan
