Lockett: “We want to keep ball rolling into Christmas”

Tom Lockett is hoping Northampton Saints can keep the momentum rolling from four successive victories when they tackle Gloucester on Saturday afternoon at Kingsholm (kick-off: 3pm).

The men in Black, Green and Gold come into the pre-Christmas clash off the back of four successive victories, having secured back-to-back Gallagher Premiership wins over Harlequins and Saracens before achieving the same feat in the Investec Champions Cup to beat Glasgow Warriors and RC Toulon.

And 21-year-old Lockett has caught the eye in the Champions Cup clashes in particular; first, making his European debut from the start in the victory at Scotstoun, before the towering second row came off the bench a week ago to score a crucial late try to defeat RC Toulon 22-19 at a buoyant cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Q: How did it feel to be the try-scoring hero against Toulon?
TL: It was a dream come true really. It’s not something you think about coming into a game. To get the chance to win the game in last couple of minutes is quite special.

I’d gone around the corner and I had seen the space out wide and it was one of their front rowers so I thought maybe if I found a bit of space then I’d get over.

Q: Were there any nerves in the moment?
TL: There's always a bit of nerves but by the time you’re on the pitch and in the thick of it you sort of get over it and try and block everything out. I’d say that’s probably the loudest I’ve ever heard the Gardens. So once I scored I probably let myself take it in a little bit. 

Q: What was the feeling like?

Q: The experiences you’re getting this season, having played 11 times already this term, must be great for you?
TL: Absolutely. I think I have had a lot of chances this year to wear a Saints shirt and show what I can do. I think I am growing in confidence and playing in this team is so easy to feel confident because there’s so many good players around you. The system is so well oiled at the moment. It’s a great team to play in. 

Q: Is it a Club where young players feel comfortable to be themselves while learning the trade?
TL: It is probably because, as a Club, we’ve got such a focus on the Academy and a lot of our senior players and our leaders in this group are from the Academy.

It’s quite relatable when you’re first coming into the team from the Academy and you see that Furbs [George Furbank] is the captain, he’s come through the Academy, Courts [Courtney Lawes] has played 100 games for England and he is from the Academy, it sort of gives you that confidence that everyone is there to support you.

Q: Is the consistent style of play throughout the Club helpful in making the step up?
TL: That is probably the reason we see so many Academy players transition into the first team is because they have got that foundation of players playing with the Saints DNA from when they start at 16 and all the way through. 

Q: You played five matches in the Premiership Rugby Cup at the start of the season, were those matches before the league and Europe got underway beneficial for you personally?
TL: Getting that game time at the start of the season and gaining the coaches’ trust, once we get into the Premiership and into Europe, if you can prove you can do it at that level, there’s no reason they can’t pick you.

Q: The big games just keep on coming, what are your thoughts on the Gloucester clash on Saturday?
TL: We just want to keep the ball rolling as much as possible. Momentum is such a big thing in rugby, if we can keep the ball rolling going into Christmas and be on the back of four massive wins then we can’t ask for much more than that.