Young Gun: Mike Haywood – Northampton hooker

Mike Haywood is not lacking for mentors when it comes to learning the ropes as a hooker at Northampton with the vast experience of both Dylan Hartley and Dorian West to call on.
While World Cup winner West coaches the forwards at Franklin’s Gardens, it is club captain Hartley who spends the most time advising Haywood.
Last season the 20-year-old was battling with Andy Long to be Hartley’s back-up – a position he has made his own since Long’s retirement over the summer.
And after having to sit on the sidelines for the latter stages of the last campaign because of a shoulder injury, Haywood insists he is ready to put into practice everything he has learned from his international teammate.
“I spend a lot of time working with Dylan Hartley and he is a great person to learn from,” said Haywood, who is originally from Essex.
“He is a bit of a joker so it’s good fun but when he needs to be serious he makes sure we work hard. I know I’ve still got a lot to learn but in particular he has really helped me with my throwing. Obviously I have to make sure I’m good at the basics – the throwing and scrummaging.
“It helps playing in a great pack at Saints. Dyls is brilliant helping me learn and then if I come on I have Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga’uiha next to me which makes it a lot easier.
“Dorian is there to coach the forwards but it’s really with Dyls that I do the most training and I feel I’ve learned a lot of him.
“Having Andy Long here last season was great as well, he was very experienced and a great mentor.
“It’s nice that they have trusted me now as the second choice and I want to make sure I take advantage when the chances come.
“It was really frustrating last season getting injured when the big games were coming up so the important thing is to make sure I’m fit when I’m needed.
“We showed last week against Exeter that we are in pretty good form, we mauled well and the pack was very strong. From a personal point of view I made an important turnover late on so I’m pleased with that.”
The young hooker has been part of the Saints matchday squad in every game so far this season and with Hartley very much part of Stuart Lancaster‘s England plans he is set to get a chance to stake his claim for the starting jersey during the autumn internationals.
Haywood has already had his own taste of international action after being part of England’s JWC campaign in Italy in 2011 when England lost narrowly in the final to New Zealand.
He added: “It was a good experience and I thought we did really well. The Baby Blacks very good but we showed we could also play well under pressure, especially in our semi-final against France.
“Now I want to be involved in more big games and everyone at the club is determined to make sure we don’t fall at the final hurdle this season.
“I’ve been lucky at Saints that I’ve had a chance pretty much from the start. A few guys have been out on dual-registration but I’ve been involved with the first team which is a great opportunity for me.”