Lock Day revelling in return to Saints team

The 29-year-old has made just six appearances this season due to a problematic ankle injury sustained against Wasps on September 28.

He made a brief comeback in the clash with Harlequins on November 10, but lasted just 11 minutes before being forced off.

Day has since had surgery to rectify the problem and has been named in the starting line-up for the LV= Cup game against the Cherry and Whites on Saturday.

And the former Stade Francais player is relishing the chance to finally get a sustained run in the Saints team.

“I just want to play as many games as I can,” said Day. “I played a lot of minutes in the first few games but since then I’ve hardly played.

“It’s been pretty frustrating to watch the lads on their ups and downs so I just want to play as much as I can.

“We know Courtney (Lawes) is likely to be away through the Six Nations and that’s a big gap for me to fill if the coaches keep picking me.”

Day is part of a strong Saints line-up for the clash with Gloucester, the team they beat in the LV= Cup final in 2010.

Jim Mallinder’s men also reached the showpiece last season, losing to Leicester Tigers, and it is a competition they always take seriously.

“We always treat the LV with a lot of respect,” said Day. “We showed that by getting to the final last year and we won it a few years ago.

“We always take the competition seriously and we always take playing at home very seriously.

“Gloucester are not an easy team to play. They play attractive rugby and have got a lot of good quality players, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“We’ve got a run of Premiership games coming up without our internationals as well so we’re looking forward to it.”