Mike Catt hails Northampton players for galvanising England - as Premiership ...

Northampton’s

players have been hailed by Mike Catt for galvanising England – as Saints await punishment for putting the international game first.

England’s attack coach was fulsome in his praise for the contribution made by Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Lee Dickson and Ben Foden to the national cause this autumn.

“The

train is on track and on schedule for where it needs to get to,” Catt said of England’s 2015 World Cup build-up. “I genuinely feel that and I don’t say it lightly.

“The credit’s got to go to the clubs and this autumn particularly to Northampton, because the Saints guys who have turned up have been exceptional.

“All their players are absolutely flying at the moment. In a year these guys have come on in leaps and bounds.”

Catt’s

endorsement, following wins over Australia and Argentina and a narrow loss to New Zealand, is a major boost to Saints ahead of their home Heineken Cup showdown with three-time winners Leinster on Saturday.

It

is in marked contrast to the tone of Premiership Rugby, the English elite’s umbrella body, who are set to fine the club for allowing George North to play for Wales against Australia.

The

Lions wing scored a sensational try double and his absence allowed Northampton the opportunity to blood young English winger Tom Collins in

a Premiership match.

Yet North’s participation at the Millennium Stadium contravened Premiership policy of releasing players for any nation other than England outside of

the IRB’s official three-week Test window.

Defiant

Northampton coach Alex King said: “We’ll manage George how we think’s best for George. He wants to play international rugby and we want to see

him playing on the biggest stage.

“George’s

absence meant we gave Tom his chance. I think it worked both ways. George played for Wales and a young English winger played in the Premiership. I don’t see much harm was done.”

King

added: “George is our player and we’ll look after him and his best interests. He’s a proud Welshman and he wants to play for Wales. He’s now back with us. As far as I’m concerned the matter’s closed.”

North

returns for the sold out clash against a Leinster side who expect to have Ireland stars Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Kearney back in harness.

Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/sport/rugby/video-scotland-coach-scott-johnson-on-samoa-loss-1-2961531

Mike Catt hails Northampton players for galvanising England - as Premiership ...