Prem Rugby Cup: Northampton look for more young stars to emerge

Acting head coach Jake Sharp is hoping more Northampton Saints youngsters make a name for themselves when the Prem Rugby Cup resumes at the weekend.

James Pater will start at fly-half and centre Freddie St John could step up from the club’s academy for his senior debut in front of a sell-out crowd when they host East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers.

They have the shining example of England and Lions back row Henry Pollock to follow as they step in for seniors away on international duty.

“I want to see the young backs being exposed to it, can they cope with it?,” academy coach Sharp – who is stepping up into Sam Vesty’s regular role for this competition – told BBC Radio Northampton’s Saints Show.

“Freddie has played for Leicester Lions in front of 200 people, now he’s going to play in front of 15,000.

“We’re going to find out ‘is he ready now?’, ‘is he going to be ready in six months?’. Is he the next Fraser Dingwall? That’s the exciting thing about this cup.”

He continued: “We’re so consistent in our messaging, it doesn’t matter who’s coaching, it doesn’t matter who’s playing in the shirt, the expectation is that we’re going to perform.”