He scored one try and set up two more for in-form centre Jon Clarke using a couple of deft left-footed kicks in the Saints' bonus point victory at Franklin's Gardens.

"He is playing well for us, we are really pleased he is playing for us and nowhere else," said Mallinder of Geraghty, who signed from London Irish in the summer. "I thought today he was outstanding at recognising opportunities and where space was. Because of him, (Chris) Mayor and Clarke both had excellent games."

Geraghty is currently in the England Saxons squad but is being tipped to be promoted into Martin Johnson's senior 32 for the autumn internationals as both Riki Flutey and Toby Flood are likely to miss out through injury.

England's first November Test is against Australia on November 7 and Mallinder is in no doubt Geraghty deserves his spot in the national team at either fly-half or at centre alongside Jonny Wilkinson, given his displays this season.

"He is playing for us at 10 - I don't know if that is where Martin is thinking of, although I guess the slot outside is where they are thinking about," Mallinder added. "It depends how they want to play. But he has shown he has the versatility to do both. With Jonny's structure and the way he can play and run the game, I think to have Shane outside him would be a good partnership."

"His shoulder's popped out and gone back in and he's a bit sore," said Cockerill. "It's probably the one real downside of the evening. We don't know at this stage the extent of the injury. It's too early but we'll know more on Monday."

Roberts was sent to hospital as a precaution with neck and chest pain, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

"We don't know too much about it at this stage," said Blues coach Dai Young told The Western Mail. "But we believe it is minor and that he should be OK. We'll know more after the scan."