With the Saints’ trip to Twickenham only a week away, it would be easy to focus attention purely on that. But Mallinder insists that there is no such complacency within the camp and that Coventry are being taken very seriously.

“We’ve got an unbeaten record to protect,” he said today. “Coventry have steadied their season and haven’t lost for over a month. Winning is a good habit and they will take advantage of any looseness on our part. As ever, it is vital that we maintain our concentration from the first to the last minute.”

The Saints notched up their 27th NL1 win of the season against Nottingham. But it was a close match from start to finish and the Saints had to hold out a 14-man maul in the last few minutes to seal the victory. Mallinder says that it was a good examination of the players.

“We learned a lot about the team’s character last week,” he said. “We took a long look at the Nottingham game this week and every player took something from it. We have worked hard in training this week to put together a game plan which we think will beat Coventry.”

Mark Easter is in line to make his 50th club appearance tomorrow, having been selected in Mallinder’s 24-man squad. Easter believes that the club’s forwards have answered the questions asked of them by opposition packs.

“We always knew that in this league our pack was going to be targeted,” he said. “We knew it was going to be tough and we still have got a few more challenges left. It’s something we’ve been trying to improve each game.

“We’re not taking Coventry lightly at all. We know what they’re capable of and we’re looking to win this game as much as any other.”

Llyr Apgeraint Roberts will be in charge of tomorrow afternoon’s match at the Butts Park Arena.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS SQUAD TO PLAY COVENTRY
National League One
Butts Park Arena; Saturday, April 5th, 2008; kick-off 3pm
Backs:
Joe Ansbro, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Barry Everitt, Will Harries, Johnny Howard, Stephen Myler, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Carlos Spencer, Neil Starling.

Forwards:
Mark Easter, Darren Fox, Dylan Hartley, Mark Hopley, Courtney Lawes. Ben Lewitt, Matt Lord, Euan Murray, Alex Rae, Paul Shields, Tom Smith, Barry Stewart, Soane Tonga’uiha.