James Pater: Northampton hat-trick puts teenage full-back's rugby path in focus

James Pater, Northampton Saints' 19-year-old full-back, has described how he found his way into rugby after scoring three tries in the club's 59-26 Premiership opening win over Newcastle Red Bulls in Northampton on Friday, 25 September. In an interview published by BBC Sport on 30 September, he traced a route through football, a late entry to the Saints academy and a group kicking session with Jonny Wilkinson.

The hat-trick came in Pater's third Premiership start, according to BBC Sport. He scored inside four minutes and had a second try inside 15, before completing his treble late in the game. Teammate Tommy Freeman also scored three tries as Northampton, the defending champions, opened their league campaign with a nine-try victory.

How Pater's hat-trick unfolded against Newcastle

The Guardian's match report said Pater chose a delayed running line for his first try. His second came while Newcastle were down to 14 players after Harrison Obatoyinbo was sent to the sin-bin for a trip. Newcastle's own match report said Pater finished his hat-trick three minutes from time, after Freeman had completed his and Ollie Sleightholme had scored with his first touch.

Newcastle were level at 7-7 after Christian Wade's early try, but Northampton led 31-14 at half-time. Wade scored twice for the visitors; Cam Jordan and Werner Kok added their other tries. Kok's score with the final play secured Newcastle a try bonus point despite the 33-point defeat, according to the club's report. BBC Sport said Fin Smith, initially named player of the match, passed that award to Pater.

From football to Northampton's academy

That timing forced a choice as his GCSEs approached. Pater said he put football aside to concentrate on rugby. His rise since then has also included England Under-20s rugby: BBC Sport reported four tries in seven appearances for that side. He told the BBC he qualifies for Ireland through his parents and had been in Ireland's programme for eligible overseas players before entering the England pathway.

What Jonny Wilkinson's session meant to Pater

Around the time he was choosing his sport, Pater attended a kicking session with former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson at Pennyhill Park, England's training base. He told BBC Sport it was a lot in a local charity auction: parents of about 15 Shelford Under-16 players each contributed £50 so the group could attend. Pater was not yet in Northampton's academy.

Pater recalled enjoying the session and hearing Wilkinson's advice, although the BBC interview did not set out a particular kicking technique he took from it. The episode sits alongside his decision to focus on rugby; Pater's account does not identify one coaching session as the sole reason he chose that path.

The training demands behind his first-team place

Northampton coach Phil Dowson had already given Pater a demanding training role. Before a January Champions Cup meeting with Bordeaux-Bègles, Dowson asked him to imitate France fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, Pater told the BBC. The exercise involved chip-and-chase kicks and finding space against an unsettled defence, challenging Saints teammates as they prepared for the match.

Pater said he looks to New Zealand's Beauden Barrett and Australia's Quade Cooper as models for parts of his attacking game. He has also watched Northampton backs George Furbank, George Hendy and Freeman while coming through the academy. With Furbank moving to Harlequins, Pater started the league opener at full-back.

The nickname 'Slim Reaper', given to him by teammate Chunya Munga, points to a more immediate task. Pater told BBC Sport he weighs about 13 and a half stone and spent the summer trying to build a body better equipped for Premiership contact. He said he wants to win collisions, be more robust at the gainline and play consistently each Saturday.

His stated goal before the season was to make half of Northampton's matchday squads through Christmas. Pater also said he had spoken with England A head coach Mark Mapletoft and knew of a planned November match against an Argentina XV. He presented that fixture as a possible opportunity, with his immediate focus on earning regular appearances for Saints.