Pearson ready to step up at Saints

NORTHAMPTON are doing everything they can to persuade Courtney Lawes to carry on at Franklin's Gardens, but should the former England captain be tempted by one of the offers he has received from France, a potential replacement has been lined up.

- PAUL REES

He is already on Northampton's books and a regular this season since joining the club after the demise of London Irish. Tom Pearson, capped by England last summer, made his name as a marauding openside flanker, powerful on the charge and strong over the ball, but he has been encouraged, by club and country, to consider giving the blindside a go.

Northampton have been working on his defence and the set-pieces, the lineout especially, to see whether he would fit into the position where Lawes has established himself as a dominating presence.

"I do not know what position I will be playing this season, next season or a few years' time," said the 24-year-old Pearson, who scored a hat-trick against Bayonne on Friday and is in the mix for England's Six Nations squad which will be announced this week.

"I have been doing a lot more lineout work and I have spoken to different coaches about moving to the blindside. I have the scope to put on a bit of weight and as I am one of the heaviest 7s in the league, it would probably mean me becoming a 6. I am not opposed to that and it is a long-term option.