Mitchell: It’s a good warm up for Tigers
ALEX Mitchell focused on getting stuck into another local feud with the in-form Tigers after an outstanding performance in Saints ten-try Franklin’s Gardens romp.
The scrum-half certainly expects a much tougher struggle next Saturday than the one a woeful Warriors put up.
South African wing Courtnall Skosan enjoyed a dream debut in English club rugby with a hat-trick to help reconfirm Northampton mean title business this season.
New England squad member Tommy Freeman and Mitchell also crossed for a brace of tries. But Mitchell insists the team will need to step up a rung or two against Tigers.
He said: “Tigers will be full of confidence, but this shows we’re not in a bad position ourselves. It bodes well for a tough battle.
“This is a big result for us after being so disappointed at Wasps last week. The key now is to keep working hard. It’s nice to run in ten tries but we will need to play even better to beat Leicester.”
A one-sided contest was all but over after less than half an hour – by then Saints had crossed for five tries.
Warriors’ chances took an early blow when South African wing Duhan van der Merwe was sin-binned for a dangerous tip-tackle on hooker Josh Matavesi. Referee Ian Tempest had no doubt the punishment fitted the crime as Matavesi landed on his back but was fortunately unhurt.
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, who finished the game limping with a minor injury, raced over for the opening try soon after, catching the napping Warriors defence with a quick tap and go from a penalty and converted his own score.
Worcester replied with scrum-half Will Chudley, a last minute replacement for the injured Willi Heinz, charging down centre Rory Hutchinson’s attempted clearance and running through.
It was as good as it got for the visitors who were ripped apart by rampant Saints. Mitchell darted over for his first after a strong carry from No.8 Teimana Harrison.
Young fly-half Fin Smith kicked a penalty for Warriors but powerful Fijian lock Api Ratuniyarawa rampaged over from close range and Skosan added the bonus point try with his first – supporting Freeman’s burst and catching his kick through to cross.
He was soon followed by Hutchinson who intercepted Worcester prop Rory Sutherland’s pass and raced 75 yards for the fifth.
Courtney Lawes gave Eddie Jones a few injury concerns when he needed his left knee strapped after twisting it in a heavy tackle and was replaced early in the second half.
Skosan added his second, acrobatically grounding the ball one handed in the left corner. Freeman celebrated his England call with a fine try, supporting Fraser Dingwall as the centre burst through and offloaded well to his teammate.
Skosan sauntered across again to compete his hattrick as Worcester were stretched into breaking again and their pain continued with Mitchell weaving his way across before Freeman added his second, stretching out a long arm, for the tenth.
Saints boss Chris Boyd praised Skosan for his stunning debut: “Courtnall was at the Lions in South Africa when I was there and he was always consistently good. He will thrive in England. There is still a little bit of rubbish in our game to get rid of but tonight we were very clinical.”