Showing an impressive level of consistency, Roger Wilson has missed out on just 10 games out of the 55 Northampton have played since he joined from Ulster in the summer of 2008, and he has been one of the lynchpins of the side that has stormed to the top four of the Guinness Premiership.

A European Challenge Cup winner in 2009, the powerfully-built number 8 has also played in two Churchill Cups for Ireland 'A' as well as for the Irish senior side in 2005, when he became the third generation of his family to win full international honours.

Wilson started in Northampton's 12-9 defeat by Munster at Thomond Park last Friday, and will be all out for revenge when the sides clash again in Limerick in a much-anticipated Heineken Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 10.

The 28-year-old said: "I'm really settled here and am enjoying my rugby. I came here because I thought we could compete in big competitions and we are. It is great that we have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, which is a first for me.

"I've got lots of respect for the coaches, the time and effort they put in, their expertise and the environment they have created.

"We have a young squad with quality players who work hard and if we keep improving at the same rate we have been, there is no reason why we can't become one of the top teams in Europe."

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Wilson is an important player for the Franklin's Gardens outfit.

"Roger's qualities are apparent every time he plays. He provides a focus for the players around him, getting over the gain-line and being in the right place at the right time.

"He has a good relationship with the other back rowers and scrum halves, and brings confidence to the team."