NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. PLYMOUTH ALBION

NL1 – Saturday, 29^th  September 2007 – 3pm

FRANKLIN’S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

The game this Saturday is the next and sees Saints hosting one of the tougher sides in the Division and probably the hardest opposition to visit Franklins Gardens so far this season. Plymouth Albion are one of the ND1 clubs with Premiership aspirations so will view this game as much part of their development as the chance to  simply knock Saints for six and earn the bragging rights.

There have been some interesting observations of Saints performances to date from ex-Saints players at Bedford. Perhaps the most pertinent comes from the most recent to depart, Dan Richmond whose observation that Saints need to find an identity is a very fair assessment and goes some way to explaining why, despite maximum points so far, we all feel a little uneasy. Saints are very much in transition and we probably don’t know what a final Saints side under Jim Mallinder will look like. By the end of the season we will and in the meantime one can at least be optimistic that a team still searching for it’s lost “espirt de corps” can still win games even if it isn’t pretty. What with that Rugby World Cup going on, injuries and likely suspensions, Jim doesn’t have the full suite of players to pick from. If England’s game on Friday goes the way England would like, we may have Soane back soon but if Scotland do their Italian job both Sean and Euan will remain “en France”.

On the injury front there’s good news with Paul Shields playing forty minutes for the Wanderers so he may feature in the front row on Saturday. Even better news Neil Starling played the full game and looks to be getting his playing career on track after a truly awful run with injuries. It’s a credit to him that he has stuck at it in the last two seasons and it speaks of the sort of determination and commitment that’s needed.

The squad will probably have a similar look to it from last weekend though. The steady try scoring from Dave Ward means he would seem a sure starter. Reihana and Downey will probably start in the centres too so maybe we will see Shields and Starling getting a run off the bench. Jim likes to keep us all guessing and that does make the build up to the match all the more interesting with plenty to speculate about!

Our visitors have made a solid start with three wins and one loss. That loss was to their nearby rivals Exeter and their last win was a narrow one away at Nottingham. They travel to Franklin’s Gardens determined to come away with at least a point to maintain their push for top honours. Saints will be equally determined to earn the maximum again. Certainly the Saints have the pace in a back line that is capable of scoring the 4 tries however the contest will be keenly fought up front. Silly errors and careless penalties must be avoided Saints are to retain possession and give the backs a chance to run. Equally the defence needs to stay sharp and not concede the sort of easy tries that not only keep the opposition in touch but give them hope of a win.

Plymouth Albion has the reputation for a strong pack and a love of the maul so we may get the chance to see how well the Saints forwards are learning from Dorian. Their back line also features Ed Lewsey, brother of Josh Lewsey and if anything has like the pace and running lines of his brother he is the sort of player who could punish any moments of sleepiness from Saints. The weather looks OK for Saturday so far, and I think the home advantage will see Saints through to a win. It won’t be perfect and they will frustrate and delight in equal measure but it is another part of the journey of rediscovery for Saints. Enjoy the moment and give a warm Saintly welcome to our visitors from Plymouth.

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