would only have been 2 points. In 04-05 the teams were separated by 2 points, after a last day nail biter. In 2006-07, the gap was even tighter, with 1 point separating the teams, after another last day nail biter. Apart from 06-07 though, there has always been 1 team plugging the gap between the 2 on the table.

As it stands currently, there is some daylight between the teams – 7 points - and the familiar 1 team buffer, but both teams are preparing for what pundits call an ‘8-pointer’ or maybe even a ’10 pointer’, at Sixways. The league gap could potentially close to 2 points or expand to a yawning chasm of 12.

The Saints were in fighting mood when they made their expected return from National Division One in September, having not lost a competitive game in 12 months. The fans were getting excited over their new secret weapon, Rugby League convert Chris Ashton, who had broken the try scoring record the previous year. They had also recruited well in the off season, with notable arrivers being Ben Foden, from Sale, and Neil Best, from Ulster. However, their enthusiasm has become somewhat tempered as Ashton has found the step up to be a challenging one, and Best got himself banned after a handful of games.

Back in September, Worcester found their hopes for the new season take a knock and their 100% record at Franklins Gardens taken from them. Worcester remained in touch during a messy game until about 60 minutes, when former academy man Dylan Hartley came onto the field, and proceeded to lead the Saints pack forward and take his team into the distance.

However, on reflection that may not have been the disaster it first seemed, as it took un-fancied Newcastle to take the Saints 100% strike rate at the Gardens this year away, with Tigers, Harlequins, Bath and Wasps all leaving second best this season. Saints imperious home record is in direct contrast however to their form away from home. Northampton have not won on the road so far this season.

Some speculation has lead toward two opposing theories as to the impact the twin aspects of a first home defeat and a poor away record will have. The first is that Saints will now fold like a pack of cards, and the second is that it will be a vengeful and hurting Northampton who will travel across the Midlands intent on burying the poor sap who gets in their way on their way to an all conquering victory. The problem with these two theories, not to put to blunt a point on it, is that they are both wrong. Northampton are a team of professional sportsmen, and one defeat is not going to send them running for cover, sobbing, wondering why they ever left the safe haven of National Division One, and if the latter was true, well, lets just say that no team would ever lose two consecutive games.

Worcester’s fate is officially in their own hands for this game. We know Northampton will be smarting from a home defeat but we also know about their poor traveling form. In truth we really do not know which Northampton will turn up. So instead of speculating over statistics, it is best to approach this game from the aspects within the team’s control.

Worcester’s form of late has been, if we’re kind, patchy at best. Three abject showings where Worcester leaked over 100 points were followed up by a battling, if inelegant, victory over Wasps, whose creativity and flair could not crack a Worcester defense best described as bloody-minded. Apart from 20 minutes of magic when Bath came to town, Worcester have played four fairly dour games from an attacking point of view.

The Wasps game provided a few positive points. The first was Alex Grove, who vigorously introduced himself to Josh Lewsey in what proved to be a turning point in the match, before having the wits to latch on to Van Gisburgen’s casual flick pass and the pace to leave his pursuers behind for the only try of an ugly game.

Rico Gear turned in a good game at fullback also, which drew applause from even his harshest critics. Rico Gear is in fact a genuine utility player. His form on the wing for the All Blacks has meant that this is the position in which his reputation preceded him, however, he has played outside centre for the Crusaders during there ‘all conquering’ phase and also has spent time playing at full back in the Air New Zealand Cup (though less commonly admittedly). It also helped quash the falsehood that Rico Gear cannot tackle, which has become a myth that follows him around at Worcester after some bad opening games, and occasional lapses during the season. His current form is crying out for a start at 13.

Captain Pat Sanderson also put in his best performance for some time, in what turned out to be an 80 minute dental operation with a bit of rugby throw in, as he completed the game one tooth lighter. Also, it has to be mentioned at this point that tackling yourself unconscious and then carrying on, whilst somewhat inadvisable, does display a certain level of commitment!

With that said however, Chris Latham is expected to be a welcome return to the squad for the Saints visit, bringing his enthusiasm and big right boot back to the Warriors party. Whilst Worcester have proved he is not the be all and end all of their chances, his presence is always felt and beneficial.

The victory of Wasps was almost a victory of intelligence over flair as goal one was shutting down the Wasps attack and capitalizing on errors from their occasionally wasteful backs. It may have been negative but it worked. The result of this game depends on how Worcester respond to whatever threat that Northampton present to them. One fears that the game will not be pretty, and the scores are unlikely to be high. However, with one cup final won, and a few more coming in the next few weeks, Worcester’s future is in their hands.

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