Grase said today: "It was a win but at a cost with Jon Clarke's broken ankle. We were reasonably clinical in the first half but after seeing the video, we probably missed four of five try-scoring opportunities. We put pressure on ourselves in the second half and ended up relying on Jonny Wilkinson missing a kick leaving us with an overall sense of disappointment. The team look like a side that got beaten yesterday, which is a good measure of our intent. We want to stick to the top standards we have set ourselves.

"We did have virus during the week  which perhaps accounted for our lack of energy in the second half. We did win but should have won more comfortably."

The virus affected a dozen of Saints' players, including tight-head prop Pat Barnard, who had to pull out of the game yesterday morning. However, it will be a much longer lay-off for centre Jon Clarke, who fractured his left ankle, but Grase was positive the 22-year-old could return to try to win a place in England's 2007 Rugby World Cup squad.

He said: "Jon will be able to play the second half of the season. He is still in with a chance of pushing himself into world cup recognition. I don't think he will be too far away from that squad. If there is a good time to have a broken ankle, I guess it is now."

JC is the fourth centre in the care of Saints' physiotherapy team at the current time, along with Geoff Appleford, Rhodri Davies and Neil Starling.

Grase rued: "We might have to retire the 13 shirt! Clarkey is the last in a long line of injured centres. But we have got a strong squad and we have people who will gladly step up."

Saints play Sale Sharks this weekend at Edgeley Park. The game kicks off at 2pm and is being shown live on Sky Sports.