Myler magic keeps Saints marching on
JUDGED on this performance, you wonder why those associated with Northampton ever question Stephen Myler.
It feels like the Saints have spent the fly-half ’s career trying to replace him and, with them apparently looking to further bolster their playmaking positions for next season, Myler may well find himself in another fight for the shirt.
Ryan Lamb, Shane Geraghty, JJ Hanrahan, even Harry Mallinder, who was preferred at pivot at the beginning of this campaign... the list is a fairly lengthy one of those who have tried – and ultimately failed – to depose Myler at the Midlanders.
He was simply exceptional against Sale on Friday. Opposing director of rugby Steve Diamond even admitted that the 32-year-old had given a “master class” in tactical kicking as Northampton eased to a second consecutive victory.
After the rumours that circulated around boss Jim Mallinder’s future during a potentially ruinous period before Christmas, all of a sudden the top four does not seem such a fallacy.
With Myler a key factor in their last two matches, Mallinder said: “You don’t play in the Premiership for ten years, score so many points and make so many appearances if you’re not a good player and Stephen is. He showed the value of experience in that position and some of his kicking was outstanding.”
The fly-half’s form has allowed Jim’s son, Harry – following the England Under-20 graduate’s return from injury – to move into his best position at inside centre.
He has not been perfect since recovering from ankle surgery and has had his struggles against both Worcester and Sale, but there were glimpses that the Myler-Mallinder axis could be a profitable one for the Saints this season.
It was those two who worked in tandem for the visitors’ first try. Myler garnered the field position by sending an inch-perfect ‘up and under’ down the throat of Rugby League convert Denny Solomona, who duly failed to deal with it, and his playmaking partner supplied the class by flicking the ball onto Ken Pisi to score.
Michael Paterson, a former Shark, then followed Pisi across the whitewash as the Midlands’ outfit opened up a 12-point buffer before the hosts put together their brightest move of the match.
Full-back Mike Haley, who otherwise had another inauspicious evening, grub- bered through and wing Josh Charnley pounced, touching down for the first time since switching from Wigan Warriors.
Myler reasserted Northampton’s dominance on the stroke of half-time and hooker Mikey Haywood crossed in the second period to increase the gap.
It was proving to be a particularly difficult evening for the Sharks, who were described by Diamond as being, among other things, “out-enthused”.
After a positive few weeks, which has taken them to the brink of Premiership safety, Sale were surprisingly lacklustre and Myler’s second penalty added to their frustrations.
They did summon the energy to present Bryn Evans with an opportunity to dot the ball down, but the Saints deservedly had the final word.
The move was started by Mallinder who took play from his own 22 into the hosts’ half.
That gave Northampton valuable field position and Ethan Waller benefited, barrelling his way over in the last minute.