Northampton Saints boss Mallinder in the market for flexible fly-half

Mallinder yesterday tied first-choice fly-half Stephen Myler to a new deal, which will keep the 28-year-old at Franklin’s Gardens for the foreseeable future.

But Saints remain in the market for a player who can complement Myler, with current deputy Ryan Lamb moving to Leicester Tigers at the end of the current campaign.

Northampton had shown an interest in Worcester Warriors’ experienced campaigner Andy Goode, but he is bound for Wasps.

And Mallinder continues to consider his options as he aims to add a flexible fly-half to his squad for the new campaign.

“We’ve not got a massive squad so we’ll be looking for a player who can play 10, but also in a couple of other positions as well,” he said.

“We’ve already got that in terms of Kahn (Fotuali’i) who can play 10, James Wilson can play 10, so there’s flexibility in that area. We’ve also got a very good England Under-20 player in our academy in Will Hooley, who is coming on and who has played well for the Wanderers this year.

“We’ve got options, but we will be looking to add one more to the mix. We’ll be looking to get someone who is a bit more established and who can play in a number of positions.”

Lamb’s move to Leicester was made public on Monday, with the 26-year-old set to move on two years after joining from London Irish.

Mallinder admits the player has had a mixed time, ranging from mystifying to magical during his stint at Saints.

“He’s a bubbly character is Ryan,” said the Saints boss. “He’s come here and delivered some really good performances for us.

“Of course we can all pick out moments – not quite moments of madness – when you wish it hadn’t happened and certainly up there watching I have been very frustrated at times, but, of course, I’ve seen some magic from Ryan as well.

“He can play on the front foot and when he’s at his best he’s magnificent. That’s the type of play we want him to produce for the rest of the season.”