FORMER Trowbridge youngster Dan Richmond has displaced England rugby star Steve Thompstone from the Northampton Saints line-up.

Richmond, who moved up the Bath Youth ranks before taking up an apprenticeship at Northampton, has wrestled the No 2 jersey from the England hooker and he intends to keep it.

Richmond was given his chance recently by Saints' new coach, New Zealander Wayne Smith, and he's certainly taken it with both hands.

The former St Augustine's School pupil was handed his first start in Northampton's Powergen Cup semi-final against Newcastle.

Helping the Saints to a Twickenham final, the 23-year-old started again in last weekend's Zurich Premiership match against Leeds Tykes, and grabbed his first try in a 34-14 victory.

And now, having got into pole position with the Franklin's Gardens club, Richmond is keen to keep it.

The youngster has certainly benefitted from Smith's arrival the Kiwi replaced John Steele just before Christmas.

Richmond, now in his fourth season with Northampton, said: "My aim at the start of the season was to become second choice behind Steve Thompstone and Steve Brotherstone.

"Brotherstone was put on loan to Newcastle and that confirmed my dominance. Now I'm fighting it out with Thompstone and it's great to get a couple of starts.

"I guess I had a big point to prove really, to all the supporters.

"I felt I was playing well but it was just a case of getting a chance. It's often hard to get into the game when you come off the bench, such is the pace of today's games.

"I'm pleased to be there now but I know I've got a battle on my hands to keep it."

As for his first league try, Richmond could not celebrate in time-honoured fashion.

"There was a bit of a virus going around the club, I didn't feel too good so I was water all night," he said.

Richmond did have his family in the stands, though, and that certainly made it a proud moment for the youngster.

Father Bob is a member of the Trowbridge club, elder brother Robert, a prop, turns out for the town's third team, while younger brother Simon is a member of Bath Under 14s.

Dan has played in the past for his local club but does not return too often, now in the first year of a first-team contract and his spare time taken up with a sports course at Nairn College and a distance learning course at Newcastle.

"Things are going pretty well for me," he said. "I've certainly had some help along the way, including Dave Sullivan, my old Bath Youth coach from Trowbridge Richmond is desperate to hold his place for Northampton's next outing in a week's time a trip to the Rec to face Bath.

And he's certainly planning a weekend reunion then with friends and family.

"It's going to be tough because an average game now means a place on the bench. But it would be great to start against Bath.

The level-headed youngster is only thinking that far ahead, and he added: "You set your goals out to play for your country and I guess an A cap would be the next step.

"The only way is to keep playing well for my club, and if it comes, it comes."