Quantcast

News: AP: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints - Match Preview


By St Dormouse
April 10 2015

After the crushing disappointment of a heavy defeat in Europe, Northampton Saints return to Aviva Premiership action this weekend with a tricky trip down to Sandy Park to take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday afternoon. Filling a potential hole in the "previews" schedule, regular COYSDC contributor, St Dormouse (Mark), steps up to the oche and gives his thoughts on this weekend's fixture...

 

EXETER CHIEFS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AP: Sunday, 12th April 2015 - 2pm (BT)

SANDY PARK, EXETER

MATCH PREVIEW

 

After the rather limp capitulation of last week and in many people’s opinion a long run of below standard performances from our heroes in Black, Green and Gold, I have some news which will gladden the hearts and lift the spirits, something that will lift the boys to new heights and put the spring back in their step. Some news that will bring joy and excitement into the very souls of the Saintly faithful and re kindle the desire to once again lift the trophy and carry it triumphantly through the streets of Old Northampton. Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, at long last, Mrs Dormouse has gone topless!

Now, before the old boy in row BB reaches for his pacemaker, please restrain your excitable selves. I refer to the fact that after much umming and aahhing the good lady wife has purchased a rather nippy convertible Mini, and immediately upon purchase of said motor car the sun has decided to radiate its warming rays upon this green and pleasant land. Almost within a week the soggy mud has all but dried, the puddles disappeared and Bobby the West Highland Terrier has at last returned from his walkies white. This, good people, can only mean one thing, and that is a return to the exiting and high scoring rugby we were blessed with before the dark months of winter descended upon us. Hard grounds, attacking rugby and Saintly victories, that’s what we all desire, and all thanks to the ever optimistic Mrs. D spending her hard earned on a soft top, a fact we should remember with gratitude, and tug our forelocks appreciatively as she cruises along the Welly road.

This really is the business end of the season and this weekend sees a tough task in store. Saints are in the enviable position of being 10 points clear of 2nd place with 4 matches to play, but that in no way leaves any room for complacency. We have, apart from Exeter and Leicester away, a resurgent and worryingly in form Sarries side at the less than fortress like Stadium MK. I shan’t tempt fate by dismissing London Welsh at home but in current form Saints could easily find themselves losing all three of those matches and maybe missing out on a home semi. Bath have a comparative walk in the park when you look at the rest of the top 5 and will be looking to pick off stragglers. So the task really does start this weekend. Forget last week, forget the rather too easy 24-18 home loss to Exeter earlier in the season and most importantly, in my very humble opinion, forget, or at least fix, the dreadfully ineffective kicking game which has plagued Saints all season. I’m not saying there isn’t a place for it, look at the way Saracens pressure teams into mistakes by accurate kicking and superb chasing. Wales did the same thing against the Scots in the 6 nations. The problem we seem to have is that everybody knows it is coming long before it actually comes. The opposition position themselves accordingly, the kick is often poorly executed and rarely effectively competed for, and hey presto we’re on the defensive. Even the linesman abandons his post looking for offside at the ruck and retreats 20 yards ready for the boxkick. This is, more often than not, the default Saints position away from home which is baffling, because on the odd occasions that they go into it more attack minded, Saracens and Bath spring to mind, then things can be very different. Yes, it’s worked against mediocre sides like Irish and Quins but against the Chiefs I would expect to be on a hiding to nothing. Ironically Exeter came unstuck with a very poor kicking game in the LV cup final and only started getting back into the game when they kept the ball in hand. I wonder which team will have “Learnt lessons” most effectively this weekend.

Exeter have only lost once at home this season in the league, early on against Leicester while Saints have lost only twice on the road. We all know Sandy Park is a bit of an enigma where the wind is concerned, where even a sparrow farting has a tendency to blow the corner flags every which way. The home crowd is always packed and in inspiring full voice creating a haunting if highly entertaining atmosphere. It’s a difficult place to win but Saints will be hoping to expel the demons of last week and show the chasing pack that they are still the team to beat in the domestic league. Exeter will be desperate to amass points at home to clinch a top 4 spot with difficult games to come away at Wasps and Saracens. Who will want it more do you think? Of course a loss for Saints is not the end of the world, as long as they get something and keep building up the points. I would actually consider a 4 try each draw a great result as the romantic in me would love to see Exe in the play offs, a home semi against them would be a great occasion would it not?

The teams are announced in a few hours so I’ll not speculate too much but I have opinions on a few players and issues which, as this is very much my pedestal, I shall air whether you want them or not. I think that James Wilson needs to start playing to his potential. I thought that with a run of games we would get to see what a wonderful player he is but I’m afraid, apart from his siege gun clearance boot (a weapon sadly underused imo) he has not had the impact I had hoped for. He needs to look where he is passing for a start; after all he has made some searing breaks only to pass it straight into touch. I also believe that Our Jim needs to pick on form and not on reputation, Luther has not clicked this year while young Tom Stephenson is very much the future and chomping at the bit. He must wonder what he has to do to keep his place, mind you he could do with learning to pass as well. I also think that Tom plays better with Dom Wauldok rather than George Pisi but I know others will disagree. Dom seems much more organized, especially in defence, and less likely to leave gaping holes. Saying that I’m certain Jim will stick with Luther and Pisi. I’m not a fan of Samu in the 2nd row as I think it depowers the scrum and neutralizes some of his best assets. Both Samu and Big Sam are superb at 8 but I can’t remember them ever both having a good game together. One at a time imo keeps the momentum at 8 all match. At the moment I prefer Mickey at hooker but am well aware that Dyl offers the leadership and is very much a talisman, he will doubtless start and I won’t complain. A big issue this week is the appointment of Leicester’s favourite adopted son, Wayne Barnes running the show. I doubt we’ll be seeing quite as much lip from Dylan this week as we did in the Wasps game cos guaranteed it will have no effect on Barnes. Hopefully Smyler has learnt the West county dialect and will be able to understand what he is being told otherwise the Devon boys will have a language advantage!

I truly hope this weekend will see the start of some real end of season momentum but on recent form I’m not confident of coming away with anything other than a losing bonus point. However we all know that they are a talented and committed team of players with the skills, power and confidence to produce the goods, we have seen Saints surprise us before and if they do put in a performance, then don’t forget to doff your cap to Mrs. Dormouse.

 

Exeter: Dollman; Whitten, Nowell, Hill, Jess; Slade, Chudley; Moon, Yeandle, Francis, Mumm (capt), Lees, Ewers, White, Waldrom.

Replacements: Taione, Rimmer, Brown, Skinner, Horstmann, Lewis, Steenson, James.

 

Northampton: Wilson; Ken Pisi, George Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali'i; Corbisiero, Hartley (capt), Denman, Manoa, Day, Wood, Clark, Dickinson.

Replacements: Haywood, Waller, Mercey, Fisher, Dowson, Dickson, Stephenson, Tuala.

 

 

 

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

News: AP: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints - Match Preview
Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 10/04/2015 15:16
ComeOnYouSaints.com
10/04/2015 15:16
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Phil.
10/04/2015 15:21
Thank you so much for stepping in at such short notice, Mark - it really is appreciated!

Another fine read, good sir... smiling smiley

St Marlowe
10/04/2015 15:28
Thanks, StD - Many lessons to be learned this week before Sunday!

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

SaintED
10/04/2015 15:47
Excellent post St Dormouse. I suspect we'll find out that Chiefs are the team that have learned their lesson. Hartleys leadership? Ho-hum.

St Marlowe
10/04/2015 15:51
Well, the players seem to think he is the right leader, as does the coaching team. However, I am sure they will appreciate your support.

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

ch saint
10/04/2015 16:25
Excellent review StD agree with your thoughts on team selection and the weaknesses that have started to creep into our game.
I'm not sure Dyl has earned his shirt this season, whereas Mickey H has, so I would have Dyl on the bench. But then he would never be my captain.
Thanks for the preview.

saintian
10/04/2015 16:57
Great preview...and a great Proustian moment wrt one of the Two Ronnies' musical items that had "So doff, so doff, so doff, so doff, so doff your cap I pray" therein smiling smiley

St Marlowe
10/04/2015 17:37
I just love the way posters comment on here as though the players don't read the forum. They do and many of the Board. Please read the unwritten rules re: constructive criticism

Ho hum

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

St Dormouse
10/04/2015 20:49
Hang on David old chap, nobody is insulting or in any way trying to put down obviously superb professional players. People are just trying to express their frustrations using this very public tool. Most players, much like professional actors and the like probably pay little attention to what critics, especially armatures like us, have to say. You only have to look at Courtney's response to that @#$%& in the Mail. If people can't have their say, likeable or not, then what's the point of this forum?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:11:06:21:40 by St Dormouse.

fair_weather_fan
11/04/2015 10:01
Surprised given comments about form that Salesi never made it onto your radar. He's been on mine for weeks, either carrying an injury or saving himself for the top 14. It's a long season here and as he wasn't fit at the start of the last one was a bit protected.

St Marlowe
11/04/2015 10:16
St D old Muscardinus, it is not about a comment or criticism it is about constructive criticism. I see nothing constructive in the above just a go at the skipper. Words are funny things, so people should be careful how they use them. There are enough people having a go at our players, (see the comments under last weeks Guardian report on the Clermont match), without those who profess to be the 16th man throwing more negativity in the players' direction.

Perhaps Dylan is suffering a dip (IMHO not hugely) He is walking on eggshells and has stepped back from the edge a little, but to say Haywood is better and Hartley is undeserving of his place is really helpful (not) before a tough match. Especially in a forum which we know is read by players and the coaches.

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

St Dormouse
11/04/2015 11:49
I agree that Dylans edge has probably been blunted somewhat by recent events and as our skipper and a great player i fully support him. I also think that luther's form isn't what it has been. My constructive criticism is to suggest that on form mickey and/or tom deserve a shot. I very much hope i am proved wrong and that both afore mentioned play a blinder.

Saint Dom in Hanoi
11/04/2015 12:15
Excellent preview, with some interesting (if diverting) comments.

The team must play as a team if we are to win the Prem again. I'm sure they know that better than we do, and hope to see the evidence tomorrow at Sandy Park.

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!

http://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/99/99_0_1202835632.jpg
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net