Mallinder: Ashton fall-out won’tworry Saints on revenge mission

NORTHAMPTON Saints coach Jim Mallinder insisted his squad is focused on beating Munster despite the squabble following Chris Ashton’s move to Saracens.

Mallinder axed the former Wigan Rugby League star from his match-day squad for a game that Northampton must win to qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup.

The pair’s relationship fractured with the two reported to have rowed after Ashton told Mallinder about his decision to leave. And instead of facing Munster, Ashton’s place on the wing has been taken by teenager Jamie Elliott.

The worry for Saints is the fall-out from Ashton’s announcement will overshadow their attempt to gain revenge for that defeat in Limerick last November.

“We are definitely going into tomorrow’s match with our minds focused very much on getting the win,” Mallinder insisted.

Even without Ashton, Mallinder’s opposite number Tony McGahan is refusing to underestimate the challenge.

“My personal thought is that they are one of the best sides in Europe and I don’t think them not being in the quarter-finals this year dilutes that,” McGahan said.