LV Cup: 'Stupid' Saints need a pick-me-up – Mallinder

Jim Mallinder bemoaned the "stupid" tries his Northampton side conceded in a 31-30 defeat at home to Harlequins, their fourth straight defeat.

Director of rugby Mallinder will aim to pick up the Saints before they visit Newport on Sunday, hoping to avoid a sixth loss in seven games.

"The three first-half tries were stupid really," said Mallinder. "We conceded tries too easily; they were all our mistakes and all preventable.

"We need to stick together, go down to Wales and get a good win. We are going through a down period and we need to get back to winning ways."

Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea praised his team for coming from behind to grab the win. "The work ethic was fantastic," he said. "Even in the second half the work ethic in defence, when we were under massive pressure, was great."

Bath first-team coach Brad Davis was delighted with debutant Semesa Rokoduguni after the Fijian scored two tries in a 36-15 win over Newport Gwent Dragons.

"He gives us much-needed depth in the back line and some versatility," said Davis of Rokoduguni, a serving tank soldier in the British Army.