Mitchell aims to impress in brother’s absence

SCRUM-HALF James Mitchell hopes being in the shop window at Northampton will help him slash through the recruitment logjam to secure a permanent contract.

Signed by Saints as emergenc cover for injured younger brother Alex (knee) and World Cup-bound Springbok Cobus Reinach, former Sale and Connacht half-back Mitchell, 24, is grateful to have found a home at a time when so many players are without clubs.

“It’s a tough market for players, especially for No.9s because there are so many good ones in the Premiership now,” Mitchell told The Rugby Paper.

“I could potentially have stayed at Connacht but Andy Friend (head coach) told me they were looking to promote younger guys and that I wouldn’t get much game time, while I chatted to Championship clubs but there was nothing I fancied jumping into.

“There was some interest from ProD2 in France but nothing came of that, so, with Alex being injured and Cobus waiting on a call-up to the World Cup, when Northampton offered me a chance to train with them it was too good a chance to turn down.

“I’m at Saints until the World Cup finishes and I’ll take things from there depending on what’s available, nothing is finalised.

“If Northampton are happy and want to keep me I’d be delighted, but otherwise I’ll be back on the market. ”

Mitchell will do battle with Henry Taylor, newly arrived from Saracens, and academy product Connor Tupai as Saints aim to build on last season’s playoff finish.

He added: “We’ve got a good relationship between the three of us and we’re bouncing ideas of each other. The great thing is we’ve all got something to prove and I’m relishing the competition.

“At Sale I was competing with Peter Stringer and Mike Phillips and at Connacht it was Kieran Marmion – all top-class internationals – so it’s something I’m used to and I find it healthy.

“Alex and Cobus will be back soon enough and we’ve got a great squad, so there’s a really positive attitude at Saints and we’re all raring to go now.”