Sunday’s match at the Camborne Recreation Ground has been eagerly awaited in Cornwall and Northampton and with both the Saints and Pirates having emerged from week one with victories there is plenty at stake in the early battle for league supremacy.

Mallinder knows how tough a challenge the Pirates will pose on their own ground.

“This Sunday will be a real test for how far we have come as a squad,” he says. “The Pirates are a strong outfit at home and only lost there once last season. They’ve got some strong ball-carrying forwards, dangerous backs and ambition to be at the top of the league come the end of the season.

“That is a powerful combination and we will have to be at the very top of our game on Sunday to come away with the points.

“There were a lot of positives coming out of last weekend’s game. But we know we can play better and have worked very hard this week to make that happen.”

Mark Robinson has recovered from last Saturday’s bang on the hip to take his place in the squad. Also included is wing Tim Visser, who joined the Saints this week on a six-week loan from Newcastle, along with centre Robbie Kydd.

In the forwards Joe Gray, called up for the England Under-20 squad this week, is included, as is prop Chris Budgen.

Over one thousand Saints supporters will be making the long trip to Cornwall this weekend and will make up around 20 percent of the expected capacity crowd. Mallinder is full of praise for the fans’ dedication.

“We saw last week how the crowd gets behind the team at home,” he comments. “I’m looking forward to seeing the sea of green, gold and black this weekend. It’s a long way to Cornwall and that so many fans are making the trip shows what the club means to them. I’d like to thank them for their support and hope that we can repay them on Sunday.”

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS SQUAD TO PLAY CORNISH PIRATES
National League One
Camborne; Sunday, September 9th; kick-off 3pm
Backs:
Chris Ashton, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Barry Everitt, Johnny Howard, Robbie Kydd, Stephen Myler, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Carlos Spencer, Tim Visser.

Forwards:
Damien Browne, Chris Budgen, Simon Emms, Darren Fox, Joe Gray, Mark Hopley, Alex Rae, Karl Rudzki, Christian Short, Terry Sigley, Barry Stewart, Paul Tupai, Dave Ward.