Northampton Saints Vs Connacht

European Challenge Cup Quarter Final

Franklins Gardens - Saturday 11^th April

MATCH PREVIEW

With the Saints showing great form at home Connacht must come to FG wary of one of the premierships form sides. That said the followers of the green black and gold would be foolish to think this will be a cake walk, anything but in my humble opinion.

Despite languishing at the bottom of the Magners League, Connacht are a side with plenty of heart and pride and quite a few tidy players. Many will recall Johnny O’Connor the former European cup winning Wasp not to mention our own beloved Roboprop, the scourge of Agen, Robbie Morris. Sadly it seems, a return of Robbie may be in doubt with him recently receiving a serious injury. So get soon well Robbie!

Only last Friday night did Connacht give the Newport-Gwent Dragons a good beating with the score of 39-17 win pleasing the home crowd, with danger man Ian Keatley scoring 14 points.

So it’s fair to say that Connacht’s confidence will be on the rise following a hard defeat to Andy Robinson’s Edinburgh and with former Quins flyer Gavin Duffy having found some form it’s important to recognise the talent that Connacht have to offer.

Connacht are also very experienced in this competition while we have rarely strayed into these waters, Connacht have played in the ECC since its inception in 1996 and have reached the semi finals in 2005, losing to eventual winners Sale and also in 2004  this time having their hearts broken by the Quins in a tight two legged scrap.

Asides from this the Province has regularly made it to the quarter finals of the competition and is well versed in the competitions format.

However in a stat attack normally expected from the Scrumcast (‘a visceral and apoplectic rugby show featuring an idiot well known to many rugby network regulars, can be a bit sweary...’) The ERC website tells me that they have a particularly poor record away from home in the competition, losing a whopping 70% of away fixtures and also a staggering 71% of games against opposition from the Guinness Premiership.

Having snuck into the quarter finals with back to back wins over Italian side Rovigo, sometime Ireland coach Michael Bradley is sure to realise the chance which lies at their door.

As for the Saints, well after the brave but disappointing defeat at the Ricoh Arena last week they boys have bounced back in some style, giving a good pasting to the Jekyll and Hyde side known as LOBSTER! Sorry that should be, TOASTER! No wait, its Gloucester, a team with all the staying power of an elephant’s condom.

It is an important competition for the Saints to succeed in this year and it would be disappointing to say the least were we to disappear into the sunset with a whimper after having torn the group stages asunder with excellent performances both at home, in France and at the Memorial ground.

Yet the scalp of Gloucester is a difficult one to use as a measuring stick as they are so utterly ghastly away from Castle Grim. Not to mention their own poor record at Franklins Gardens, with one victory in the last 4 meetings there, it’s hard to see if we really have kicked on in terms of physicality and are truly growing into a top side. That said it’s hard to tell who the top sides are looking at the upper echelons of the premiership table, as 5 teams cover themselves in mediocrity.

But many Saints supporters left FG with a smile and spring in their step, which is always a pleasant feeling as winter leaves us. The spring daffodils introduce renewed hope and a sense of purpose. Suddenly the world is our oyster once more and some excellent free flowing rugby on Saturday was enough to show many that the worm has turned.

Some touches of finesse have returned and with an improvement in finishing also being notable from last week, it’s fair to say that the Saints will have a spring in their steps. Matched by our Irish friends this game promises to be a barnstormer.

Saints by 5.

1 Tiny

2 Dyl

3 Big Evil

4 Nacho

5 Freddie

6 Besty

7 Scottie G

8 Rog

9 Dicko

10 Smyler

11 Bruce

12 JD

13 Joey

14 Digger

15 Fodes

16 Brett

17 Wee Tam

18 Courtney

19 Easts

20 Al  Dickens

21 Bazzer de Boot

22 Mayor (who really needs a nickname)

Robby Richmond

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