Fletcher hails Wilkinson show

John Fletcher heaped praise on Jonny Wilkinson despite his costly late penalty miss.

The fly-half produced an assured all-round display, notching up a total of 13 points, including a well-taken second-half try.

However, the game, and Wilkinson's performance, is likely to be remembered for a miscued penalty attempt in the dying stages that allowed Northampton to sneak a 25-23 victory at Franklin's Gardens.

Fletcher had only praise for his fly-half, though, but insisted Newcastle were far more than a one-man team.

"It is a team game," he stated. "I thought he was very good. Unfortunately he missed a couple of kicks but his work-rate is incredible and he is effective on the ball.

"If you actually analyse what he does in the game, if you look at the impact compared to any other player on the pitch - how far he runs, his tackles, his effectiveness - then you would be amazed.

"He has obviously been working hard during the time he has had out."

Although they kicked off their campaign with a win, Saints coach Paul Grayson was less than enamoured with his side's display.

He felt his troops should have had the game well won by the time that Wilkinson fluffed his late penalty, but was ultimately relieved to come away with the spoils.

"It was not how we wanted to get out of the blocks," he said.

"We were comfortably in control without ever playing well. We contrived to almost give it away.

"You have to pick up your points where you can. No doubt there will be times this season where we play well and get beaten so I can't complain about the result.

"But I can complain about the performance. After half-time we put no shape on the game.

"The intensity dropped off in defence. We looked like the ones chasing the game when we should have been putting pressure on Newcastle.

"We almost gave it away again and Jonny came up with a miss but we should have had the game sewn up by then."