Harry Mallinder on centre stage

Harry Mallinder has arrived.

Or that’s at least what the majority of the rugby-watching public think after his first two appearances in the European Champions Cup won him two man of the match awards.

He debuted in Northampton’s 19-15 win over Glasgow, scoring the match-winning try with just a minute left in the game, before scoring an intercept try and impressing a week later in Northampton’s 22-10 victory against the Scarlets.

The ease with which the 19-year-old has taken to not only senior rugby, but senior European rugby, has set pulses racing in Northampton and already set tongues wagging about his England prospects.

Now, let’s just hold on a second.

The young fly-half, who was so impressive at inside centre against the Scarlets, is a fearsome prospect (as, it seems, are all the fly-half sons of rugby coaches) but expectations need to be kept in check.

Jim Mallinder, Harry’s father and coach, has been very grounded about his son these past two weeks but his inadvertent assessment of the youngster’s abilities has added real fuel to the fire.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton after the Scarlets game, Mallinder senior was quick to praise his son’s traits.

“I think he’s really enjoyed being around good players who have helped him in training.”

“It’s nice to have a 12 who can kick, take the ball to the line and can distribute.”

Irrespective of what it may say about Luther Burrell’s form for Northampton this season, that description of Harry’s abilities matches, almost word for word, what England head coach Eddie Jones has said he is looking for in his favoured inside centre.

It’s a fitting response to Mallinder’s performances in those two European games that these dots are being connected but it’s important not to forget that he still only has a grand total of three starts for Northampton in senior rugby.

Time is well and truly on Mallinder’s side and the fact he is playing senior rugby in his teens is an accolade that none of he, his father nor Northampton’s academy should forget to celebrate.

He is slated to join up with England U20 side for the Six Nations, but given his remarkable influence on the previously misfiring Saints back line, it seems an odd decision to let him go. Things can change quickly at U20 level, however, so it would not be surprising to see Mallinder recalled to Northampton in the coming weeks, especially if there are any injuries at fly-half, centre or full-back.

Regardless of where Mallinder is playing his rugby over the next two months, England fans should take the time to watch him and appreciate the skill and confidence with which he plays. International recognition will undoubtedly come if he stays on this path, but hoisting unnecessary expectations upon his shoulders will not help him in his development.