Prop Paul Doran-Jones is hoping is performances in the LV= Cup can propel him into the Premiership spotlight when league action returns next weekend.
The former Gloucester tighthead helped Northampton get on top in the scrum against Harlequins last Saturday, though they eventually fell to a 31-30 defeat.
Doran-Jones is now desperate for another start on Sunday, when Saints go to Newport-Gwent Dragons.
And the 27-year-old, who faces stiff competition for a first-team place from Brian Mujati, is looking to stake his claim ahead of the Premiership tussle with London Welsh at Franklin’s Gardens a week on Saturday.
“It’s always frustrating because you want to play every week and it’s been difficult,” said Doran-Jones.
“My game time has been a bit more sporadic than last year but I’ve just got to find that continuity and a bit of form and hopefully the LV= Cup will give me that.
“If I can get another 80 minutes next week it’ll put me in good stead going into the Premiership.”
Saints will be desperate to get up a head of steam before league action returns and Doran-Jones has urged them to take a direct route against the Dragons.
He said: “We’ll get our scrum and maul into the game and try to be a bit more direct.”
Meanwhile, Saints wing Paul Diggin will be at BarSo (25 Abington Square) tonight (Thursday), helping to raise money for Children In Need.
Diggin will be posing for photographs with fans between 8pm and 10pm , with donations, suggested to be £5-plus, given to the appeal.
Photos will be delivered via email on the following day.
 |  |