DAVIES KEEPS THE FAITH FOR LEEDS TYKES

Leeds director of rugby Phil Davies insists he still has faith in his players despite their 26-6 defeat by Northampton at Headingley on Sunday.

The Tykes battled bravely to keep their opponents at bay but offered little in attack and could count themselves fortunate the Saints failed to maintain their promising opening 20 minute spell.

But Davies believes the current Leeds squad has ability to compete in the Premiership although he realises there is still much work to be done.

"I`m disappointed because we`ve talked about not chasing lost causes and giving penalties away, but we`re still doing those things," he said.

"I`m not worried about the quality or our ability to play the game. It`s just a case of holding onto the ball.

"It`s only our third game and we`ve got four points - it could have been a lot worse.

"But I`ve got confidence in the players and we`ll get there. It was never going to be all rosy in the garden for us."

Davies revealed that Eastern Suburbs outside half Daniel Parkes is to be drafted in as cover for Steven Bachop until the arrival of Springbok Braam van Straaten on November 4.

The Tykes chief is also hoping to complete the signing of powerful Argentinian Test winger Octavio Bartolucci next week in an attempt to beef up the Leeds three-quarters.

Northampton director of rugby John Steele was pleased with the win and suggested that Headingley could be a stumbling block for teams in the future.

"This is the sort of place you have to come and work very hard to get a win," he said.

"Anyone who is branding Leeds in the same way as Rotherham is wrong - it`s a totally different set up.

"This is a very competitive club and Bath (who Leeds defeated 10-6 on the opening day of the season) will not be the last side to come here and lose.

"We had to work very hard. We would like to have scored more tries but I was delighted with the boy`s character, especially in the second half."

Winger Ben Cohen - who grabbed the match-clinching late try - left the field in the dying minutes of the game with a dead leg but Steele revealed that his departure was only a precautionary measure.

Second row Oliver Brouzet and centre Peter Jorgensen also picked up injuries but Northampton will have to wait until next week to learn the extent of the damage.