Mallinder hopes Saints have learned painful lesson

NORTHAMPTON Saints head coach Jim Mallinder still wakes up in a cold sweat thinking about May’s Heineken Cup Final defeat to Leinster — but the Franklin’s Gardens boss has vowed to take revenge on Irish opposition when his side travel to face Munster tomorrow.

Mallinder’s side looked set to win only their second Heineken Cup when they swept into a 22-6 half-time lead in the Millennium Stadium. But Leinster, inspired by an astonishing display by Jonny Sexton, staged a Lazurus-esque comeback as they scored 27 unanswered points to be anointed European champions for the second time in three years.

And that has given Mallinder and his young side all the motivation they need as they kick off this season’s competition with a trip to Thomond Park on Saturday.