Mallinder admits Saints 'got lucky'

The English side escaped with an 18-14 triumph at Franklins Gardens to eventually make it nine home wins in a row in Europe's top tournament.

But the game could have gone either way and Mallinder saw his side's three goalkickers hit the mark with a mere three out of eight attempts. That meant a possible 14 points went begging in a game in which it took Saints until the first minute of the second half to finally get ahead.

"I was very nervous at the end. We didn't play well and we got away with the win in the end," admitted Mallinder.

"We know we have got to be a lot better in this competition. Castres came and were very physical - they got stuck into us and created a few opportunities. We simply didn't put them under enough pressure.

"Our line-out was a bit of a problem and we didn't execute as we should have. We forced things bit too much and our set-piece didn't dictate as it has done.

"It was just one of those days with the goalkicking, but it didn't cost us the match. Last week we had four out of five and Paul Grayson will work hard to overcome our weaknesses."

In the end, an explosive try from England full back Ben Foden with just 27 seconds showing on the clock at the start of the second half gave Saints a lead they were never to lose.

Foden eventually aggravated a right ankle injury and left the field 12 minutes before the end, but Mallinder said that wouldn't be the reason for him missing next week's trip to Edinburgh.

"We're not too concerned about the injury, but Ben has to be rested next week anyway because of the agreement with England. He is a quick healer and he will be back soon," he said.

"We're looking forward to going to Edinburgh and we're glad to have got the points out of the first game."