Yesterday Saints held off a last-gasp Gloucester push to win 19-13 and stay unbeaten in the Anglo-Welsh Cup after two rounds.
Paul Diggin says that Saints’ wins have been a brilliant platform for the younger players to push for game time in a first team shirt.
“The momentum’s key and it’s been fantastic to get a few of the younger lads that first team experience,” Diggin told Saints TV.
“We had a couple of debuts last week at Newcastle, which is a tough place to go and win, and it’s good to take that learning and the detail from the win there and put it into this week’s training and carry on and have a fantastic performance against a good Gloucester side.”
Gloucester game back from a 16-point defecit and pushed Saints all the way but the home side managed to hold out and Diggin said this was a good test for the young side.
“It was a little bit frustrating that we let them in with that try at the end. It put the pressure on us even though I think they may have knocked it on at the lineout but if we put ourselves in those positions that can happen but we forced it out in the end and forced the turnover.”
Lots of young Saints stepped up over the last two weeks with six player making their first team debuts in Newcastle last weekend. Diggin said that for him to see the likes of Rory Hutchinson and Lewis Ludlam, amongst others, come through the ranks has been really pleasing and will give the coaches some selection headaches this week.
“Someone like Rory Hutchinson; he’s been exposed to a bit of first team rugby this year and I think he’s getting better and better with every game he plays and the confidence is coming through.
“It was good to see Lewis Ludlam getting his opportunity too. He’s been waiting a while because that’s how competitive the club is in the back row positions but I think he’s done really well for himself.
“The last two weeks have been fantastic. Some guys have been really patient to get their first team opportunity and some of them have really put their hands up now to put themselves in the mix.
“Some guys have had a couple of weeks off and had a rest but going forwards now there will be some selection headaches which is brilliant and what you want. You want competition in every place so it will be interesting come Tuesday.”
