Pearson: I'm lucky to end up at Saints

TOM Pearson did not have to think for long when Northampton made their move for him after London Irish folded at the end of last season. 

- PAUL REES

The flanker, who turned 24 last week, was in demand as one of the brightest prospects in the Premiership. He trained with England also this summer and won his first cap in the World Cup warm-up against Wales in Cardiff, but failed to make the cut for France.

“My mum grew up in Northampton and my uncle and grandparents still live here,” said Pearson. “In the end it was a fairly easy decision.

“It was a pretty eventful couple of months for me. What happened at Irish was a great shame but I was very lucky to land on my feet at Saints.

“The England stuff came and went. It was the longest I have ever been in camp having never been involved in a World Cup preparation before. It was new but exciting.”

Pearson used his time with England to question two of his fellow back rowers about Northampton, Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam, who have both been involved in the World Cup campaign.