The junior of Saints’ two hat‑trick heroes in the opening‑round victory over Newcastle, James Pater, pointed to the faith Northampton’s coaching team had in him to go from the off on Friday night.
In just his third Gallagher PREM start, the 19‑year‑old fullback struck twice in the first half at a sold-out DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens before completing his treble – following in the footsteps of Tommy Freeman, who landed the seventh hat‑trick of his Saints career in the 59-26 success.
“I am very happy with it [hat‑trick],” said Pater. “It is nice to have backing and confidence from the coaches to play for the first team, to go out there and enjoy it and score a hat‑trick. I did enjoy it today.”
It has been a rapid ascent to becoming a PREM starter, having been part of the Saints side that won the Premiership Rugby Academy League only a year and a half ago.
He became Saint #2110 just three months after his 18th birthday in the final round of the 2024/25 PREM season, and added eight further appearances on his way to becoming a league champion last season.
The departure of George Furbank in the summer opened up an opportunity for the England U20 international to become a first‑team regular this term, and the Saints coaching team opted for the former Shelford Colts player to wear the number 15 shirt for Friday night’s opening‑round clash.
“When I found out George was leaving, it was a positive and a negative,” said Pater. “I was grateful for that first year to learn off him, and [George] Hendy – it was an unbelievable experience to learn from them. Now, being given the opportunity, I am just trying to take it with both hands and play the best rugby I can.”
Like Furbank, he played his formative years at Huntingdon Stags RFC, and the youngster is confident he can offer a multi‑dimensional threat in the backfield.
Pater added: “I always watched him [Furbank] and Beauden Barrett growing up – those double playmakers, boys who are good on the ball, good footballers, who can manipulate space. Also good runners. That’s what I try and base my game off: be a triple threat – run, pass, kick.
Just four minutes had passed on Friday when Pater beat two defenders from ten metres out to finish, and just ten minutes later, Alex Coles’ soft hands put him over for.a second. There was some wait for his third, but it came as Northampton struck for a ninth time of the evening when Rory Hutchinson rolled out of a tackle and offloaded to his teenage teammate to complete his treble.
Pater reflected: “I watched Saints’ attack from the stands last year and the atmosphere, and the boys just having fun out there – you want to be a part of it. It was nice to finally get out there and enjoy playing rugby. They make it so simple.”