Aviva Premiership Round 1

Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers

Sunday 5th September 2010, Franklin's Gardens

KO 3pm

It seems so cruel for the players to perform so well for so long, only to get pipped at the post. If the players are accurate when they say that no-one feels the pain of defeat more than them, then it must damned well hurt.

I, like many others had planned a small part of my life around a Twickenham visit on 29 May, larger in hope than expectation maybe, but I couldn't run the risk of missing it. Having to watch the Final on TV was a blow. A blow to hope and expectation.

The summer has come and gone again, cricket has entertained then betrayed us again, the All Blacks have hopefully peaked too soon again, and the British Summer, mythical figure that it is, was elusive again. At least England's footballers did better in the World Cup than the French.

Thankfully, Premiership Rugby is back again, it has changed it's name but the product is still as exciting as it has ever been in the last 13 years. ESPN have jumped onto the bandwagon and for those of us who (now) follow from afar the chances of regularly viewing rugby has doubled at least. For the rest, the lucky ones, there is a fantastic season in prospect. Included in this optimism is the fact that Saints are in a HEC group that has avoided the big teams and offers the chance to visit the Welsh and Scottish capitals as well as a trip to The Pyrenees.

Like last year Saints start on a Sunday. But this time we welcome the Champions instead of the relegation-doomed. Things are looking rosy up the Welford Road. The new capacity is 24,000  and the accountants  have declared a turn-around from a £1m loss last year to a £250,000 profit this one.

On the pitch nobody needs to tell us that Leicester Tigers are the masters of season management. Wasps matched them for a few years, but nobody does it as well as our much admired neighbours. I try hard to dislike them, but somehow I cannot even force my most capricious nature to do so. This year could be even worse, there are rumours afoot that Richard Cockerill wants to play a more expansive game. Or maybe I am reading too much into a recent quote from him... "The game has moved on and we must expand our horizons,"

Maybe I am, but a closer look at the Tigers' squad shows that they have enough talent to play two good quality first XVs and mix and match their approach as they feel necessary. There is plenty of scope for adventurous play to go alongside their traditional strength in the pack.

They have lost a few players, notably Lewis Moody to Bath, Ben Kay to the commentary box and Harry Ellis and Aaron Major to injury. Brett Deacon has also gone for some reason. These losses have been compensated for with the signings of New Zealander Thomas Waldrom (No. 8) and Wasps lock George Skivington. Waldrom was the Player of the Year for the Crusaders last year, which says a lot, and at 26 could be coming into his prime. Similarly, Skivington is only 27 and has already captained England Saxons. Other new signings are Horacio Agulla, an Argentinian alongside Lucas Amorosino, and Bristol wing Lee Robinson. Just in case you were wondering, the indefatiguable Mrs Tuilagi has popped up with another beauty in Manu, just 18 but highly coveted at Wellford Rd by all accounts.

Ben Youngs has shone brightly in the scrum half role since the unfortunate Ellis stopped playing, and has probably grabbed the England jersey for a few years.

In their pre-season Leicester have comfortably despatched Nottingham, Munster (in Cork) and Leinster. Racking up 15 tries and 110 points they certainly let the Irish know that they take every game seriously. Nottingham probably didn't need to be told.

As for a starting XV the best guide I have is the fact that they fielded similar teams for the games against the Irish sides and I suspect that, barring injuries, this is a possible selection:-

15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Boris Stankovich
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Calum Green
5 George Skivington
6 Thomas Waldrom
7 Ben Woods
8 Stephen Keogh

Replacements can come from these:
Marcos Ayerza
Tom Youngs
Dan Cole
David Markham
Ed Slater
Tom Armes
James Grindal
Jeremy Staunton
Lee Robinson
Billy Twelvetrees
Dan Hipkiss
Will Hurrell
Manu Tuilagi

That's not too shabby now is it? The power in the front row will not be diminished when the replacements come on. All round that looks a strong squad to me, one that will once again be favourites to win the title.

So, what about the Saints? Since last season we have witnessed a fairly routine turnover of players, but the losses of Juandre Kruger and Nacho Lobbe may hurt the most. It is this second row that the biggest void will need filling. Step forward Courtney Lawes and Christian Day. This could be a big season for both players. Let us hope they stay fit.

The other newcomers are very much true to Jim and Dorian's style, either young and upcoming, or seasoned veterans. Joe Ford, Tom Mercey and Tom Wood are examples of the former, and Adam Eustace the latter. Ford is getting noticed already and there are suggestions he could be a starting fly half for some of the cup games. Tom Wood has already shown up strongly from the pre-season games and gained praise from this board.

Unfortunately I haven't seen any of the pre-season games as I now live overseas but if Odd-Shaped-Balls's enthusiasm after the Viadana game is justified then the squad may be balancing out just nicely.

I suspect the starting XV from last week will make more than the back-bone of this week's team selection, so I am going for this:-

15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Joe Ansbro
10 Shane Geraghty
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Christian Day
6 Phil Dowson
7 Tom Wood
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Tom Mercey
19 Calum Clark
20 Mark Easter
21 Ryan Powell
22 Stephen Myler
23 Greig Tonks

I am presuming that Bruce is injured, if not I would start him at 11.

This promises to be a classic game of rugby. It is on TV so I get to watch it, happy days.

I found a few stats about the game:-

The last four encounters between the two teams in the Premiership have all been won by the home side on the day.

Saints have lost their opening game of a Premiership season just once since 2002, a 0-32 drubbing at Leicester in King Carlos's first game in 2005. The Saints suffered just two home defeats in all competitions last season - both inflicted by Saracens in their last two matches!

Leicester Tigers play away from home in round one for a fourth successive season. The defending Premiership champion club has in fact lost their opening game of the following season in three of the last four years. Tigers have won seven of their last eight games in the Premiership.

Leicester's only previous visit to Franklin's Gardens in round one was in 1999 when the Saints won comfortably, 46-24.

Referee: Dave Pearson (143rd Premiership game)

As for a prediction, I hate having to go against my own side, but the Tigers look so strong, especially in the front row. I think it will be close, but think they will edge it by 5.

How exciting for everyone attending Franklins, it will be full and the sun is sure to shine. Even if Saints do lose, I predict a good season ahead. I ask for the same again please!

The hope and expectation have returned, again.

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